NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College softball team began its 2014 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference slate Saturday morning at Rice Oval with a scheduled double header against Saint Peter's. In game one, Iona ran through the visiting Peacocks 8-0 in five innings. Game two was halted at the end of the first inning with Saint Peter's ahead 2-0. A makeup date and time have yet to be determined.
In the opener, Iona collected 11 hits, led by junior CF Allison Hand's 4-for-4 effort, including a fifth inning home run. Hand scored twice and drove in three in the win. Senior C Katie Jansson and freshman 2B Katie Newton each recorded mutli-hit efforts, with Newton scoring twice and driving in a run.
The Gaels scored in four of their five at bats, including two runs in the first inning. Hand led the frame off with a single field and was promptly bunted over to second by freshman LF Ashlyn Morris. A groundout pushed Hand to third before she scored an unearned run on a passed ball. Three straight Iona walks loaded the bases before freshman RF Kelsey Long was hit by a pitch, driving in the second run of the inning.
Iona plated its third run of the game in the bottom of the second. Newton led the inning off with a triple to right and Hand followed with an RBI single to right. The Maroon & Gold extended its advantage to five with two more in the third inning. Jansson led off with a double to left center, and quickly came around as junior SS Brianna Schauer followed with a double of her own. Schauer was then chased home by Newton, who singled to left, putting Iona ahead 5-0.
The Gaels ended the game with three runs in fifth. With one out, Newton walked and came around on Hand's second home run of the season, and second in as many games. After a Morris walk and single by junior P Carly Argyle, freshman 1B Kristen Turner ended the game with a double to left center, plating Morris with her team leading 23rd RBI of the season.
Argyle pitched the five inning complete game for her fourth win of the season, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out three. Crystal Carlucci took the loss for Saint Peter's, allowing eight runs, seven earned, in 4.1 innings of work.
The Gaels' next scheduled contest is set for Tuesday, when they visit Army for a 4:00 pm start.
