RIVERSIDE, CA - The Iona College softball team continued its California road trip Friday afternoon, dropping two contests at the Highlander Classic.  In game one, Iona fell to Notre Dame in five innings before falling to the host UC Riverside Highlanders 6-2.

The Irish set the tone in the first, scoring nine runs on seven hits, including three home runs.  Notre Dame would add two runs in the third and a final run in the fourth.

The Iona offense was held to just one hit, a third inning single by senior Jodi Petersen, as ND hurler Allison Rhodes shut the Gaels down.  In five innings, the hurler struck out nine.  Freshman Christine Costello took the loss for Iona, allowing five runs, four earned, in just a third of an inning.

In game two, Iona broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning when junior Katie Jansson drove in senior Beth Kann with a single down the right field line.

The host Highlanders responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning before Iona answered in the fifth to tie the game at two.  With one out and the bases loaded, sophomore Allison Hand drove in sophomore Brianna Schauer with a fielder's choice.

Riverside would take the lead for good with four runs in the bottom of the fifth off Iona starter Jordan Courage.

Courage took the loss, allowing six runs, five earned, over 5.1 innings.  Ashley Ercolano got the win for the home team, allowing just one hit and one walk in 2.2 innings of relief.

Schauer and freshman Sarah Schutz led the Iona offense with two hits in the game.  Iona resumes play at the Highlander Classic Saturday, beginning with a rematch with the Fighting Irish at 12:00 pm before taking on Northern Illinois at 5:00 pm.