ANNAPOLIS, MD - Sophomore 1B Chris Griffin had three hits and rookie 2B Chris Burke posted two hits and two RBI but the Iona College baseball team suffered a heartbreaking 7-6 loss in 11 innings to Central Connecticut in non-conference action at Navy's Max Bishop Stadium.  The Blue Devils scored the winning run on a bases loaded, two out balk in defeat of the Gaels.

After falling behind 4-0 through four complete innings, Iona exploded for six runs in the top of the fifth to take the 6-4 advantage.  Junior 3B Nick Rossetti scored the team's first run as he raced around from second base on an error by the Central Connecticut right fielder off the bat of freshman RF Matt Simone. A single by rookie SS Eric Capowski scored Simone.  Capowski scored on the next batter when junior LF Andrew Paserelle doubled into the left centerfield gap.  After Griffin walked, Burke gave the Gaels with a two-run double to centerfield.  He scored when the next batter, sophomore Kevin Mollema singled to left.

Central Connecticut scored twice in the bottom of the eight to tie the score at six a piece.  With one out in the bottom of the 11th the Blue Devils put two  runners on with a single and a walk. The next batter flied out. DH Pat Epps drew a walk to load the bases. With an 0-2 count, rookie RHP Derek Viscomi was called for a balk that allowed the winning run to score.

Each of the Gaels first six batters recorded a hit and the first five scored a run. Junior CF Chris Leahy also had two hits in the loss.  Viscomi took the hard luck loss. Sophomore RHP Tom Sweeney tossed 2.1 scoreless innings in his 2009 debut.

The Gaels return to action in a split doubleheader with the Blue Devils and host Navy beginning tomorrow morning.