QUEENS, NY - The Big East's St. John's topped the Iona College baseball team 7-2 in non-conference action at Jack Kaiser Stadium. A five-run fourth inning for the Red Storm proved to be the Gaels undoing.

Iona led 1-0 after their first turn at bat. Sophomore SS Vinny DeMaria scored following a one-out single on a double by rookie LF Nick Hogan. The Gaels went up 2-0 in the fourth. Sophomore DH Zach Brown led off the frame with a triple into the right centerfield gap. He scored one batter later on an RBI groundout by rookie C Alex Beckett.

St. John's scored five in their half of the fourth inning and added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh frames in the 7-2 win.

DeMaria was 2-for-2 with a walk and run scored. Hogan, Beckett, Brown and senior IF Bobby Vitulano each recorded hits in the loss.

Sophomore RHP Max Bruckner took the loss, tossing 3.2 innings allowing two earned runs on seven hits with a walk and strikeout. Senior RHP Kenny Dietrich allowed a hit and two walks with a punch out in 1.1 innings. Sophomore RHP Jake Curse allowed a run on two hits in the sixth inning. Rookie Alex Fishberg and sophomores John Daddino and Vinny Martin completed the final two innings combining for one hit and no earned runs.

St. John's 3B Robbie Knightes had three hits with a run scored and an RBI. First baseman Matt Harris and DH Troy Dixon each drove in two runs. Relief pitcher Shawn Heide earned the win after tossing the middle three innings for the home team.

The Gaels continue midweek action on the road at Fordham Wednesday at 3:30 pm.