EMMITSBURG, MD - The Iona baseball team split an opening weekend doubleheader with Mount St. Mary's on Saturday, taking the first contest 5-4 and then falling to the Mountaineers 10-5 in a five inning contest called due to darkness. 

Sophomore Jimmy Guiliano finished with four hits on the day and two runs batted in. The Gaels also got production from senior lead-off hitter Joe Torres with two hits and two RBI.  

Freshman Max Bruckner gave Iona five solid innings on the mound in the first game to pick up the win. Bruckner allowed just one run on three hits and was economical walking just two batters. Senior Thomas Kriss picked up the save, recording one out in the seventh. 

In the first game, the Gaels added three runs in the second, followed by a run in the third to take a 4-1 lead before The Mount added a run in the fourth.

The Gaels added the eventual winning run in the fifth off a bases loaded wild pitch that scored Guiliano. The Mount added two more runs in the seventh before Kriss closed out the game. 

Mount St. Mary's scored eight runs in the first two innings to take an 8-2 lead before the Gaels added three in the fourth.  Torres drew a bases loaded RBI walk followed by an RBI fly out by senior Matthew Kriss and then and RBI single to center by Guiliano. 

The Gaels will continue their southern non-conference schedule with three games against George Mason this weekend.