SPARTANSBURG, SC - The Iona College baseball team opened up its 2011 campaign with a doubleheader loss to Wofford at Russell C King Field. The Gaels (0-2) fell 7-3 and 15-7 in its first games of the season.

The Maroon & Gold pounded out 10 hits in the first contest but could only push three runs across. Junior DH James Beck, junior 1B Michael Chiaravalloti and freshman RF Joe Smith recorded two hits a piece in the loss. Smith was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a double. Rookie LF Joe Torres and sophomore CF Anthony Muccio drove in a run at the top of the batting order for the Gaels.

Senior LHP Justin Wiley (0-1) took the loss in 5.2 innings of work. Sophomore Christian Rahman faced two batters and recorded the final out of the contest in relief.

Wofford scored 10 runs in the second and third innings to take a 10-4 advantage it would not relinquish. Iona got back to within three with a three-run fourth inning but could not get any closer. The Gaels had 16 hits in the loss. Torres was 5-for-6 in the loss scoring twice and driving in another. Beck, junior 3B Chris Burke and sophomore DH Kyle Charron had two hits apiece. Muccio also scored twice and had a double. Charron was 2-for-4 with three RBI.

Junior LHP Colin Lyall (0-1) made his debut on the mound for the Gaels and took the loss.

The Gaels continue action in Spartansburg on Sunday when they face USC Upstate at 1:00 pm.

Game 1                            R  H  E
Iona College........ 000 010 2 -  3 10  0
Wofford............. 004 111 X -  7 11  1

Game 2                              R  H  E
Iona College........ 211 300 000 -  7 16  3
Wofford............. 073 002 03X - 15 12  5