In the opener, Iona got off to a fast start with two runs in the top of the first. Sophomore CF Jodi Petersen led off with a single and stole second. Senior 2B Tessa Earley singled to put another Iona runner on. With one out, senior 3B Alyssa Maiese doubled to center field to drive in Petersen with the Gaels' first run of 2011. Following a walk to freshman RF Katie Jansson, senior C Melanie Gettins drove in Earley after reaching on an error by the UNC Wilmington first baseman.

In the top of the second, senior LF Erin Kyle led off with a single and was moved to second on a sacrifice by Petersen. Earley followed with a single to drive in the third Iona run.

UNC Wilmington got on the board in the second when Cailtin Cavarra homered off Iona starter Sarah Jackson. Iona picked up the junior hurler with a run in the fourth as sophomore DP Eileen McCann drove in Erin Kyle with a run scoring single. Iona had a chance to break the game open at the moment but left two runners on to end the inning.

The Seahawks picked up another run in the fourth on a run scoring double by Katie Hoummard that cut the Iona lead to 4-3.

Iona answered right back in the fifth with three runs to seal the victory. Junior 1B Allyssa James was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame. Jansson step in next and picked up her first collegiate hit in the form of a two run home run to push the Iona lead to three runs. Gettins singled and was run for by senior Tierney Markou. Markou moved to second on a sacrifice by sophomore SS Marisa Newman and third on a sacrifice by Kyle. Petersen came up next and singled home the seventh and final run of the game for the Gaels.

The two teams were silent offensively until the bottom of the seventh. After a lead off single, UNC Wilmington's Camry Wagner hit the team's second home run of the game and cut the Iona lead to two. Jackson settled down and retired the next two hitters. She allowed a single but quickly got the next batter to fly out to end the game.

Jackson went the distance for her first win of the year, allowing nine hits and five runs while striking out six.

In the second game of the day, the Gaels got off to another quick start in the first inning. With one out, Earley walked and McCann followed with a single to put runners on first and second. After a fielders choice put runners on first and second, James drove in two runs with a double to put Iona ahead 2-0 on their ACC rival.

Virginia Tech would plate runs in five of the next six innings to go ahead 5-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh. In their final at bat, Petersen walked to start the inning. After a fielders choice put a runner on first with one out, McCann singled and two batters later James walked to load the bases. Jansson drove in her third run of the day with a walk but the Iona rally fell short as the next batter was retired.

Maiese took the loss, allowing the five runs but going the full seven. Kenzie Roark got the win in relief for the Hokies. Iona returns to the field for two more games Sunday. First, Iona takes on the host team Charlotte at noon before competing in a tournament finale with an opponent to be determined