NORFOLK, VA - The Iona College softball opened up play at the Spartan Invitational by picking up its first win of the season, a 4-2 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson. In the second contest of the day, the Gaels were upended by Quinnipiac by the score of 10-2.

Against the Knights, the game was scoreless until the fourth inning. Sophomore 1B Allyssa James opened up the inning before freshman DH Eileen McCann followed with her first career homer, putting the Gaels ahead 2-0. With one out, sophomore 3B Chelsea Sheehan walked and moved to third on a single on by junior 2B Tessa Earley, who moved to second on the play. After a Fairleigh Dickinson pitching change, the Gaels put another run across as Sheehan scored on a passed ball. Now on third, Earley scored when freshman SS Marissa Newman doubled to push the lead to 4-0.

In the sixth inning, Knights' 3B Maire Shaughnessy hit a two run homer off Iona starter Sarah Jackson to cut the lead in half at 4-2. After that, Jackson settled down, allowing just one other hit the rest of the way en route to her first win of the season. The sophomore finished the contest with ten strikeouts and just two walks.

Against Quinnipiac, the Bobcats scored two runs in the first inning after the first two batters reached on a hit by pitch and walk, respectively. A single by C Katie Allendorfer drove in the first run while an Iona passed ball produced the second run of the inning.

The Bobcats scored six runs in the second inning on four hits as three runs were produced via passed ball or wild pitch.

The Gaels, now down 8-0, fought to stay in the contest in the fourth inning. Freshman 3B Amy Metcalfe singled with one out and was scored on the first home run of the season by junior LF Erin Kyle to cut the Bobcats' lead.

A second two run inning by Quinnipiac put the game at 10-2 and the contest after the Gaels failed to produce a run in the fifth.

Iona starter Alyssa Maiese took the loss, pitching 1.1 innings, allowing eight runs, two earned, and five hits while striking out two and walking three.

The Gaels return to action Sunday with a return matchup with Fairleigh Dickinson at 1:00 pm.