Wilmington, NC - The three-time defending MAAC Champions, the Iona College softball team opened up the 2013 season with a split at the UNC Wilmington Beach Blast, taking the first game of the year against Detroit 11-3 and then dropped the afternoon matchup with Nebraska Omaha, 7-0. 

Iona was led in the circle by sophomore Carly Argyle who pitched a complete game and allowed two earned runs on seven hits with six strikeouts. The Gaels scored in the top of the first, as senior Jodi Petersen led-off with a single later scored on a throwing error. The Titans also added a tally in the first off an RBI single. 

The Gaels put up a six spot in the fourth to take a 7-1 advantage.  Senior Beth Kann led-off with a solo homerun, followed by a double to center by Sarah Schutz. 

Sophomore Allison Hand then doubled scoring two runs on a shot to left center, driving home junior Katie Jansson (hit by pitch) and Schutz. Senior Eileen McCann followed with a three-run blast down the left field line to give the Gaels the six run lead. 

Detroit answered back with two runs in the fifth and Iona added with another run in the sixth to take an 8-3 lead. Iona's insurance marker came on Hand's third RBI of the contest with a double down the third base line to score Argyle who walked earlier in the inning. 

The Maroon & Gold scored three more times in the seventh as Jansson hit Iona's third long ball of the morning, scoring Schutz and Kann. Kann walked to begin the frame and Schutz singled. 

In the opening day finale, Iona fell short to Omaha 7-0. Freshman Christine Costello went the distance, but allowed five earned runs on nine hits. 

The Gaels will return to action early tomorrow and take on UNO at 9 am and then meet hosts UNC Wilmington at 2 pm. Follow along with live stats on www.icgaels.com for both contests.