BETHLEHEM, PA - The Iona College baseball team needed a pair of come-from-behind victories to take a doubleheader over Lehigh, 6-4 and 7-3 on Saturday afternoon at the Goodman Campus Field.
Senior 3B Chris Burke and junior SS Matthew Kriss provided the spark for the Gaels at the plate, both hitting separate home runs to lead the Iona offence. For Burke, this is his third-consecutive game with a home run. Burke launched a game-winning grand slam in the ninth inning in the second game and Kriss launched a game changing solo home run in the third inning of the first game.
Kriss led the Gaels with two runs batted in in the opening game as the visitors scored all six runs between the third and sixth innings.
Trailing 2-0 in the third, Kriss knocked a one-out home run to cut the game at 2-1. Although Lehigh added two more runs in the fourth inning, Iona scored four runs to take a 5-4 lead in the fifth.
Kriss scored his second RBI after he reached on an error by the right fielder when he tried to sacrifice the run home. Iona added two more runs on an error by the right fielder when senior OF Joe Torres tried to sacrifice Kriss, but heads up base running by Joe Smith allowed the sophomore to score from second. The Gaels scored their last run on a double by freshman Jimmy Guiliano to score Torres.
An insurance run in the sixth inning by the Maroon & Gold increased the lead 6-4 on an RBI single by Smith.
Sophomore Eddie Macaluso got the win for the Gales lasting six innings allowing four runs on four hits Junior Thomas Kriss closed out the game for his second save of the season.
Burke led the Gaels in the second game with four RBI after his ninth innings grand slam.
Senior LHP Colin Lyall and junior RHP Matt Marley kept the game close allowing just one run combined over seven innings, with the starter Lyall allowing just six hits and one unearned run. Senior Derrick Bligh pitched the final two innings for his first win of the season allowing one run on four hits.
The Iona offense took the lead in the seventh inning with three runs on three hits. Smith knocked a bases loaded triple to take a 3-1 lead. Lehigh added two more runs before the heroic ninth inning victory by Burke.
Iona and Lehigh will complete the four-game swing on Sunday with a doubleheader at noon.
