Lawrenceville, NJ - The Iona College Softball team split its doubleheader against Rider on
Sunday in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Iona used a six-run fourth and
six Ks from Sarah Jackson in a 9-1 game one win. The Broncs scored
early and held on to a 4-3 win for the split in game two.
Both teams had their chances early to crack the scoreboard. Erin Kyle, the second batter of the game for the Gaels (12-23, 3-8 MAAC) doubled to centerfield and two batters later, Melanie Gettins and Allyssa James drew back-to-back two out walks, but Iona couldn't push a run across. For the Broncs (13-30,5-6 MAAC), a lead-off single, a hit batter and another single loaded the bases, but Jackson got a foul popout to end the threat and keep it scoreless. The next two innings saw the teams combine for just two hits, three runners left on base and seven strikeouts.
The Maroon & Gold put up the first run in the top of the fourth as Jackson earned a two-out walk to start a Gaels' rally. A fielding error on a ground ball hit by Chelsea Sheehan to the second baseman put two runners on for Iona. Melanie Hay reached on an error to third and the bases were loaded for Rachelle Harris, who picked up an RBI with a single to left and cycled everyone around. Kyle picked up two RBIs as she dropped a double into left that plated Sheehan and Hay. Kayla O'Neill reached on throwing error, the third error of the inning and second charged to the third baseman, and advanced to second on the errant throw as both Kyle and Harris crossed the plate. Gettins picked up an RBI with a single to left-center that scored O'Neill for the final run of a six-run, three hits, three error inning and it was 6-0 Iona.
Jackson continued to blank the Broncs as she allowed three hits with a strikeout and stranded five over the next two innings. The Gaels added a little more cushion in the seventh inning that started with a Courtney Christie fielder's choice followed by a Jackson single. After a fielder's choice, Hay loaded the bases with a single up the middle and Harris got another RBI drawing a walk. Kyle drew another bases-loaded walk and added her third RBI on the afternoon. O'Neill capped off Iona's runs with a RBI single that plated Hay and it was 9-0 Iona. The Broncs added a run in the bottom of the seventh after a double, a wild pitch and fielding error, but game one went to the Gaels.
Jackson pitched a complete game seven-hitter with just one earned and walk to add to her six strikeouts. Rachael Matreale took the loss for Rider with 6.2 innings of work, nine hits, nine runs, three earned, seven walks and seven Ks.
The Broncs used just one swing of the bat to put up all their runs in game two. After a two-out single to start the second inning, Rider drew two straight walks to the load bases for Amanda Centeno. Centeno took a Deanne Algeo pitch over the left-field fence for a grand slam. The Gaels got a run back in the top of third as Kyle doubled to right followed by a Kayla O'Neill double left to make it 4-1 Broncs.
Algeo and Rider starter Kelsey Krisch kept each other off the scoreboard as they allowed just seven hits over the next three and half innings. Iona tried to stage and comeback and nearly succeeded in the top of the seventh. Hay doubled to right followed by a Harris single and a Kyle walk to load them up. O'Neill reached on fielder's choice and Hay scored on a wild throw home from second. With the bases still loaded, Gettins walked for an RBI to pull Iona within a run. Lauren Brunner, who come on in relief of Krisch, struck out Christie to end the game with Rider on top 4-3.
Algeo took the loss with four runs on six hits and three walks while Krisch got the "W" with nine hits, three runs, just one earned, and three strikeouts.
Iona returns to action and Rice Oval for a non-conference doubleheader against Temple on Tuesday, April 28. First pitch is set for 3:00 pm.
