EMMITSBURG, MD - A four-run ninth inning was not enough in a valiant comeback attempt by the Iona College baseball team in its 2013 season opener. The Gaels fell to Mount St. Mary's, 10-7.

Junior RF Joe Smith led the Gaels offensively with three hits in five at bats. He scored two runs. Sophomore LF Jimmy Guiliano, freshman 1B Christian Choman, senior C Sean Menickella and junior 2B Bobby Vitulano each posted two hits. Guiliano doubled twice, drove in two runs and scored another. Choman also recorded two RBI and a double. Rookie DH Matt Byrne scored twice and posted a hit in his Iona debut.

Junior LHP Eddie Macaluso took the loss. He tossed four innings and allowed two hits and just one earned run. Macaluso walked two and struck out one. Senior RHP Matt Marley also tossed four innings with three hits, three earned runs and three strikeouts.

Iona out hit the Mount 14-5 but was plagued with five errors in the loss.

The Gaels trailed 4-3 after four innings. The Mountaineers scored three runs in the fifth and eighth innings and survived the Gaels comeback effort in the top of the ninth inning.

The two teams complete their three-game weekend series with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at noon.