HAMDEN, CT – The Iona College softball program split a pair of games in Hamden, CT against the Quinnipiac Bobcats. The Gaels bounced back from heartbreak in the first contest to pick up an essential notch in the win column come game two.
GAME 1: Quinnipiac 3, Iona 2
The Bobcats took game one the MAAC doubleheader in walk off fashion. Sophomore Miranda Magana doubled down the left field line, driving in freshman pinch runner Sydney Dennis, and freshman outfielder Sarah Heimbach to give Quinnipiac the come-from-behind victory.
Iona was able to get on the board first in the second inning. Junior first basemen Kristen Turner singled to right field and advanced to second on an error. Sophomore Tori Danner singled to advance Turner to third, and after a stolen base by pinch runner Samantha Mello, senior pitcher Carly Argyle helped herself by singling up the middle to drive in Turner.
Bobcats answered in the bottom of the third, taking advantage of Heimback getting hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Magana singled up the middle to drive in Quinnipiac's first run.
The score remained knotted at one until the seventh inning. The Gaels got a run in the top half of the seventh when junior Kelsey Long crossed the plate on an error by the Bobcat's centerfielder. Iona had a chance to add onto the one run lead, but sophomore Courtney Miller and junior Katie Newton couldn't bring home junior Ashlynn Morris, who was stranded on third base.
Freshman Rebecca Drake pinch hit for Quinnipiac, and sparked their comeback with a leadoff walk; Dennis quickly came in to pinch run, and advanced to second on a pass ball. This was followed by Heimback was hit by a pitch for a second time, and a bunt single by freshman Taylor Troyan.
Magana came to the plate with the bases loaded, and ended the game in one swing with a rocket down the left field line.
Argyle's final line was allowing three runs on four hits, and five walks. For Quinnipiac, senior Sydney Robey went seven innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on six hits and two walks.
GAME 2: Iona 7, Quinnipiac 0
Senior Christine Costello went the distance in a strong shutout performance, holding the Bobcats to eight hits, while only walking one and striking out three. She earned her fourth with of the season, and the Gaels now stand at 9-27 overall, 3-7 in the MAAC.
She got the only run should would truly need in the first inning when senior third basemen Sarah Schutz hit a sacrifice fly that drove in Newton to begin the scoring.
Iona would pick up two runs in the second inning via a double coming off the bat of Newton, driving home freshman second basemen Kimberly Chiapparelli and senior catcher Brianna King.
The scoring would not stop there for the Maroon & Gold; the third inning brought home three runs. Long drove in a run with a single, and King contributed two with a double to centerfield.
One final tack on run would score in the fifth with Turner showing her strength, mustering her eighth homer of the season over the right field wall.
The Gaels outhit the Bobcats 14 to eight in the game. Newton and Turner combined to go 5/8, scoring two runs and driving in three of the seven runs.
Iona will host Saint Peter's at Donald E. Walsh Field on Wednesday in an afternoon doubleheader, making up for a rainout earlier in the season.
