TALLAHASSEE, FL - After play was postponed Friday due to inclement weather, the Iona softball team was able to get its 2010 season started with a pair of games Saturday at the Sunshine Classic. The Gaels were defeated in an morning contest with Mercer 8-0 and were unable to top nationally ranked Florida State in their second contest, falling 9-1.

Against Mercer, the teams traded scoreless first before the Bears put up three runs, two unearned, against junior Alyssa Maiese, making her Iona debut. The Bears had a command of the game after adding a fourth run in the third.

Iona went three up and three down in both the fourth and fifth innings and the Bears would close out the game in the fifth with four runs.

Maiese registered four innings in the circle, giving up five earned runs, three hits, six walks and struck out three batters.

Freshman Amy Metcalfe went 1-2, picking up her first collegiate hit in the contest. Classmates Jodi Petersen and Beth Kann also picked up their first collegiate hits in the contest.

Against Florida State, the Gaels found themselves in an early hole when the Seminoles scored four runs in the first inning against Iona starter Sarah Jackson.

Sophomore Allyssa James scored the Gaels' lone run in second after picking up a hit. Additionally freshman Marissa Newman's hit was the first of her career and one of five in the contest for the Gaels.

The Gaels conclude their weekend with a matchup with Bowling Green scheduled for 9:00 am.