NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College softball program celebrated a large senior class Saturday afternoon, recognizing six Gael seniors in between a pair of MAAC contest games against the conference leader Marist. The Red Foxes took both games by 8-2, and 11-1 final scores.
GAME 1: Marist 8, Iona 2
Senior Christine Costello started on the rubber for Iona, and she was able to battle through a couple sticky innings at the games onset. Marist left four runners on base over the first two innings, three of which were in scoring position.
The Gaels got on the board in the bottom as a result of some ping pong softball. After the first two in the order were retired, freshman rightfielder Melissa Gergel singled a groundball of Marist pitcher junior Jayne Oberdorf; that was followed by junior first basemen Kristen Turner who then rocketed a one-bagger up the middle. Costello helped herself and gave the Maroon & Gold the early lead with another single.
Marist's first run came in the top of the third inning via a pair of back-to-back doubles off the bats of senior shortstop Kyrsten Van Natta and junior catcher Rebecca Freeman. In the bottom half of the frame, junior shortstop Katie Newton started the inning off with an eight-pitch walk. Junior leftfielder Ashlyn Morris then doubled a 2-2 pitch to left center that'd bring home Iona's second score of the game.
As the game entered the fifth inning, Iona maintained a slim one run lead, having held off numerous Red Foxes rallies. The flood gates would open come the decisive top half of the frame; Marist scored five runs on two hits, one error, and three walks. Junior rightfielder Janna Korak, sophomore designated player Gabrielle Kelliher, and sophomore pinch hitter Brittany Colombo combined to drive in four of game-changing runs.
The Red Foxes added two more scores in the sixth inning. Costello finished the game going 4.2 innings, allowing six hits, six earned runs, while striking out six. Sophomore Jessica Harkness came in relief, allowing one earned run over 2.1 innings.
Gergel and Costello each had two hits to lead Iona. Morris, Turner and junior centerfielder Kelsey Long each had one hit.
Game 2: Marist 11, Iona 1
The Red Foxes put a spoiler on the finale of the senior day doubleheader by knocking around 10 hits, earning seven base on balls, and capitalizing on three Iona errors.
Senior first basemen Maureen Duddy had two hits and two runs scored in the leadoff spot for Marist. Freeman had three hits, two runs scored, and six RBI; she hit the momentum tumbling grand slam in the sixth inning that then gave the Red Foxes a 10-0 lead.
Senior Carly Argyle started the game and went 5.1 innings, allowing nine earned runs on nine hits and six walks. Freshman Alana Evans came in relief and saw one unearned run cross the plate.
Freshman Megan Beiermeister was all-controlling in the circle for Marist, going six strong innings, allowing just one run on four hits.
The lone run for the Maroon & Gold came in the sixth inning when senior Brianna King doubled the left center, allowing freshman pinch runner Samantha Mello to score.
Newton, Costello, King and sophomore catcher Tori Danner totaled up the four hits for Iona.
During the intermission of this afternoon's games, seniors Allyne Clark, Jordan Courage, Sarah Schutz, King, Costello, and Argyle were all honored and given recognition for their time donning the Maroon & Gold.
Iona's final pair of home games will be this Tuesday, May 2 against the Siena College Saints. The times of the games are still to be determined.
