NIAGARA FALLS, NY - The Iona College baseball team dropped a doubleheader to Niagara, losing 15-2 in the opener and 4-3 in the night cap at Sal Maglie Stadium in a MAAC contest.

The Gaels scored a solo tally in the fifth and ninth innings in the opener. Junior 3B Nick Rossetti drove in the first run with an RBI single that scored rookie RF Colin Lyall from third base. Rookie C James Beck was responsible for the other run in the final frame. Beck reached on an error that allowed classmate CF Matthew Simone to score.

Simone and junior Andrew Passerelle had a pair of hits in the loss. Sophomore LHP Brian Callahan took the loss.

In game two, the Gaels erased a two-run first inning deficit with two tallies in the top of the second. Junior CF Chris Leahy's infield hit led the to first run. Senior C Andrew Wernicki scored on the next plate appearance when the Niagara pitcher's pickoff attempt went wide of first base.

Iona took a 3-2 lead in the fourth. Wernicki led off the inning with a solo home run of the centerfield fence. It was his fifth of the season.

The Purple Eagles quickly regained the advantage in the bottom of the inning with two runs that proved to be the difference in the game.

Junior RHP Dylan McCullough took the loss, tossing 5.1 innings, allowing five hits and striking out two. Wernicki was the lone Gael with multiple hits.

The two teams complete the three-game series tomorrow at noon.