NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College baseball team dropped a doubleheader to Marist in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at Salesian Field. The Gaels (15-26, 5-9 MAAC) lost the opener 6-2, and the nightcap 7-2.

Marist got on the board in their first at bat in game one, taking an early 3-0 lead. They added a run in the third and three in the eighth in the win. 

Rookie 3B Matt Hratko plated Iona's first run in the bottom of the seventh, earning an RBI on a fielder's choice. Senior C James Beck singled home classmate LF Chris Burke in the eighth to account for the squad's second tally.

Senior 2B Eric Capowski went 3-for-4 with three singles. Senior 1B Michael Chiaravalloti was 2-for-3 with a double.

Sophomore LHP Eddie Macaluso took the loss, allowing six runs on nine hits in eight innings of work. He struck out three in his 125-pitch outing. Senior RHP Conan Leon tossed a scoreless night.

Like the first game, the Red Foxes plated two runs in the top of the first. 1B Mike Orefice hit a two-run shot with one-out.

Adding a run in the third and three more in the fifth, Marist took a 6-0 advantage. The Gaels got two back in the sixth. Burke doubled on a ball that bounced high over the third baseman's head with one out. Chiaravalloti followed with a double into the corner to plate his teammate. After an infield hit by sophomore CF Joe Torres, senior RF Colin Lyall singled home Chiaravalloti to make the score 6-2.

In their final at bat, Marist added a two-out run to round out their scoring.

Chiaravalloti doubled twice in a 2-for-3 effort as the lone Gael with multiple hits.

Senior LHP Justin Wiley tossed four innings in the loss. Senior RHP Derrick Bligh pitched the final three, striking out five batters in relief.

The two teams complete the series tomorrow at Salesian Field at noon.