Loudinville, NY - The Iona College Softball team headed back to Loudonville, NY for a
make-up double-header against Siena. The Saints and Gaels didn't have
to battle the weather this time as Siena used late-game run support in
the opener and great starting pitcher in game two to sweep the Gaels
6-2 and 4-0.
The Saints (10-17, 5-3 MAAC) got on the scoreboard first in game one with aggressive base running. Courtney Brinkman drew a one-out walk, stole second and moved to third on an error. She came home on a RBI single to make it 1-0 for the hosts. The Gaels (8-17, 0-4 MAAC) tied the game in the top of the fourth. Allyssa James drew a one-out walk followed by Courtney Christie reaching on an error by the shortstop to put two-on for the Gaels. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position and Sarah Jackson plated Christie to tie the game on a RBI groundout.
Siena came back with a five run home half to stretch their advantage to 6-1. The Saints used used back to back RBI singles, but the biggest blow came off the bat of the next batter, Lauren Weingart, who put a three-run shot over the centerfield fence. Iona tried to respond in the top the sixth as after another James walk, Christie picked up the Gaels' first hit of the game on an infield single. Jackson drew a walk to load the bases and forced out Saints starter Amanda Filippazzo, who tossed 5.2 innnings. Reliever Jamie Piela surreneder an RBI walk Chelsea Sheehan, but the Gaels couldn't push across another run in their rally attempt and fell 6-2.
Filippazzo finished with two runs, one earned, and struck out six and Piela picked up her second save of the season in 1.1 innings of relief. Jackson took the loss for Iona throwing a complete game with six runs, four earned on six hits. She surrendered just three walks and struck out seven.
In the second game, Siena again cracked the scoreboard first with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. A bunt single and sacrifice bunt put a runner on second and Weingart picked up another RBI with a single up the middle. Piela made it back-to-back RBI singles as she plated Weingart and it was 2-0 for the home team. The Gaels bats were again held quiet as Brickman got the start in game two and allowed just one hit through the first five innings. Siena added another run in the fifth as Brickman helped her own cause with a RBI single and it was 3-0.
The Maroon & Gold had a chance to take their first lead of the afternoon in the top of the sixth. Rachelle Harris doubled to left followed up by a Jaclyn Quinn walk. Two batters later, Melanie Gettins reached on an error to the shortstop to load the bases. James reached on a fielder's choice that saw Harris put out at home to make it bases loaded with two-away. Christie stepped to the plate and tatooed the ball to centerfield and it took a tremendous grab by Jenny McNulty as she barreled through the centerfield fence to rob Christe and the Gaels of a grand slam and the lead. An insurance run in the bottom the sixth gave Siena the 4-0 win and the sweep.
Brinkman pitched six scoreless innings allowing three hits while
striking out seven and walking just one to pick up the win. Deanne Algeo pitched her fifth complete game of the season as she allowed four runs, three earned, on eight hits. She walked four and struck out five in the loss.
The Gaels return to the field and non-conference play on Wednesday, April 15 as they head to Staten Island to face Wagner. First pitch of the double-header is set for 3:00 pm.
