BUFFALO, NY - The second-seeded Iona College softball team earned a 3-1 nine-inning win over third-seeded Niagara University in game one of the 2010 MAAC Softball Championship at the Demske Sports Complex on the campus of Canisius College. 

In the top of the third, Niagara's Becky Zill knocked a home run over the left field fence.  Iona tied things up in the bottom of the fifth when Jodi Petersen slid home on a sacrifice fly to left field by Erin Kyle.

After a half-hour rain delay before the top of the seventh, the juggernaut was finally broken in the bottom of the ninth as Petersen sailed a two-run homer to left field to win the game for the Gaels.

Sophomore Sarah Jackson (16-6) earned the win, giving up five hits while striking out seven.  Niagara's Julie DiMatteo (14-6) threw for 8.2 innings, and gave up seven hits while fanning two batters.

Iona will face number-one seeded Canisius College, who defeated fourth-seeded Manhattan College 5-4, Friday, at 11:00 a.m.