JERSEY CITY, NJ - The Iona College baseball team split a doubleheader with Saint Peter's in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at Jaroschak Field. After a heartbreaking 8-7, walk off loss in the opener, the Gaels pounded the Peacocks 15-7 in the nightcap.

With the score tied at 3-3 entering the seventh inning, Iona doubled its run total with three tallies in the frame. Saint Peter's got one back in their half of the inning which was quickly answered by the Gaels in the top of the eighth. The Peacocks scored two runs a piece in the eighth and ninth to claim victory.

Senior LF Andrew Passerelle was the lone Gael to record multiple hits. He was 2-for-5 with a run scored and two RBI. He recorded his team leading eighth home run of the season with no one on in the seventh inning. It was one of four home runs in the contest for the Gaels. Sophomores 3B Chris Burke and DH James Beck along with rookie CF Anthony Muccio each had a round tripper in the loss.

Rookie RHP Kenny Dietrich took the loss (0-1). Junior LHP Brian Callahan came on in relief of freshman RHP Matt Marley and tossed 5.1 innings, allowing four hits and three earned runs.

In game two, the Gaels rallied from a 4-0 deficit and scored all 15 runs in their final three innings. A seven-run seventh inning was followed by a six-run eighth and two more tallies in the final frame in the win.

Passerelle posted three more hits including a double, scoring three times and driving in three more. Junior 1B Chris Griffin came in the game early as a replacement and was 3-for-3 with three RBI. Beck and Burke had identical 2-for-4 efforts with two runs scored and three RBI. Beck doubled twice while his classmate had one. Rookie DH Kyle Charron also had two hits while junior 2B Nick Rossetti drove in a pair in the win.

Senior LHP Justin Wiley (3-4) picked up the win. He tossed 5.2 innings with four strikeouts. He allowed six runs on 13 hits in the victory. Sophomore RHP Anthony Castellitto allowed a run in the ninth before freshman RHP Ryan Martin came on to record the game's final out, a strikeout with the bases loaded.

The two teams conclude the three-game series tomorrow at noon. Rookie RHP Thomas Kriss (1-2, 9.49 ERA) battles Peacock sophomore RHP Dom Macaluso (4-6, 5.34) in Jersey City.