WEST POINT, NY - The Iona College softball team snapped a four game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over Army Thursday afternoon at the Army Softball Complex. The pitching duo of junior
Sarah Jackson and senior
Alyssa Maiese quieted the Army offense as the Gaels picked up their 11th victory of the season.
After leaving the bases loaded in the top of the first, the Gaels were able to crack the scoreboard in their second turn at the plate. With one out, junior 3B
Chelsea Sheehan doubled to left. With senior 2B
Tessa Earley at the plate, Sheehan moved to third on a wild pitch. Earley would drive in Sheehan with her first RBI of the season on a ground out to first.
In the third, the Gaels loaded the bases with no outs after sophomore RF
Eileen McCann was hit by a pitch and sophomore CF
Jodi Petersen and Maiese walked. After a double play forced McCann out at the plate, junior 1B
Allyssa James drove in Petersen with a single up the middle to put Iona ahead 2-0.
Army was able to plate a single run in the seventh before the Gaels shut the door on the budding rally. Rachael Duval singled with one out and was driven in on a double by Marina Northup. Maiese was able to induce two groundouts to third to finish the contest.
Jackson picked up her sixth win of the season, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out eight in her four innings of work. Maiese allowed just three hits and struck out four to earn her first save of the season. Haley Pypes took the loss for Army, falling to 7-8 on the year.
Sheehan had three hits for the Gaels, her second career three-hit effort. Her first game as a freshman against Brown on Mar. 20, 2009. Maiese reached base four times with two singles and two walks.
The Gaels are back in action this weekend with a pair of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference matchups. First, the squad takes on Niagara in a double header Saturday beginning at 1:00 pm. On Sunday, the Gaels host Canisius beginning at 12:00 pm.
