CHAPEL HILL, NC - The Iona College softball team opened up play at the 2013 Carolina Classic with a convincing 5-1 victory over George Washington Friday afternoon at Anderson Stadium.

George Washington got on the board in the bottom of the first, when Chelsea Lenhart scored on a double to center field by Victoria Valos.

Trailing 1-0, the Gaels answered with a three run fifth inning.  With one out, freshman Sarah Schutz walked before sophomore Brianna Schauer single to right, pushing Schutz to third. Sophomore Carly Argyle followed with a walk to load the bases.  Two batters later, sophomore Allison Hand drove in a run with a walk before senior Eileen McCann delivered a two run double to center field, driving in Schauer and Argyle.

Iona put another run across in the sixth when Argyle drove in freshman Christine Costello with a double to left center.  The Gaels then put another run across in the seventh, withour recording a hit.  After two walks a hit by a pitch loaded the bases, Schuaer drove in with a run scoring walk of her own.

Argyle recorded the win for Iona, allowing five hits and one earned run while striking out six batters.  Courtney Martin took the loss for Colonels, allowing four runs, three earned, and seven hits over 5.2 innings.

After Friday afternoon's matchup with North Carolina was postponed due to weather, Iona continues play at the Carolina Classic Saturday afternoon.