BUFFALO, NY - The Iona College softball team captured its first MAAC Championship in 25 years, earning its first-ever NCAA Championship bid with a 4-1 win over Canisius.  Sophomore RHP Sarah Jackson allowed four hits over seven innings and sophomore 1B Allyssa James' two-run single in the third inning proved to be all the Gaels in the victory at Demske Sports Complex.

After trading scoreless innings in the first and second, Iona put three across in the third. Sophomore 3B Chelsea Sheehan started the inning with a bunt single. Junior 2B moved Sheehan into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Freshman SS Marisa Newman was hit by a pitch, putting two on for the Gaels. Freshman RF Eileen McCann delivered the first RBI of the inning when she laced a 1-2 single to left field to chase Sheehan home. Sheehan leapt the Canisius catcher and touched home, putting Iona ahead 1-0. Newman and McCann moved up a base on the throw from the Canisius left fielder. On the first pitch of her at bat, James roped a single to center to bring Newman and McCann home with the second and third runs of the inning.

Canisius cracked the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning. Golden Griffs Catcher Michelle Fridey singled to lead off the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. A single by first baseman Emily Helbig put runners on the corners with one out. Centerfielder Lizzy Gatto hit a sacrifice fly to right field and Iona's lead was 3-1.

Canisius threatened again in the fifth when with one on and two out, second baseman Katie Medina hit a fly ball to the left centerfield gap. Junior LF Erin Kyle was able to get a tremendous jump on the ball and made a running catch just in front of the outfield fence, preserving the two run Iona lead.

The Gaels put another insurance run across in the sixth inning. With one out, James walked and was promptly pinch run for by freshman Amy Metcalfe. Kyle moved Metcalfe over with a sacrifice bunt. What followed next were three consecutive walks to junior DP Alyssa Maiese, junior C Melanie Gettins and Sheehan. Sheehan's base on balls forced in Metcalfe in with the fourth Iona run.

Canisius was retired in order in the final two innings as Jackson struck out Canisius 3B Stephanie Pfentner to preserve the 4-1 final. Jackson went the distance for the Gaels, pitching seven innings, allowing the four hits and one run while striking out five.

James, Sheehan and freshman CF Jodi Petersen were named to the All-Tournament Team. Jackson was named the Championship's Most Outstanding Player. James had three hits in the Gaels' two contests with Canisius with two RBI. Sheehan went 3-7 with an RBI and scored two runs for the Gaels while Petersen, the MAAC Rookie of the Year, went 4-11 with a home run, two runs batted and two runs scored.

Jackson, named the MAAC Pitcher of the Year earlier in the week, was named the 2010 MAAC Softball Championship Most Outstanding Player. Jackson started all three games in the circle for Iona, registering 23 innings, allowing 18 hits and four earned runs while striking out 15 batters.

The Gaels will await the announcement of their NCAA Regional matchup during the selection show on Sunday night at approximately 10:00 pm on ESPNU.