NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College softball team dropped its opening two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference games Wednesday afternoon, falling to Monmouth University in a make-up doubleheader.  The Hawks used late inning spurts to earn 10-0 and 4-1 wins over the Gaels.

Game 1: Monmouth 10, Iona 0

Senior Christine Costello started in the circle for the Gaels, and the Hawks were able to score one early off of her in the first; junior Justene Fernandez singled to right center, driving in senior Emma Hill for the opening tally.

The Hawks added one run in the fourth when Hill grounded out to the second basemen, allowing freshman Nicole Wieczorek to cross the plate.

The major damage came in the sixth inning; Monmouth scored eight runs on eight hits, and one big Maroon & Gold error.  All the runs scored with two outs on the scoreboard, and five came after junior shortstop Katie Newton dropped a popup that was batted by senior shortstop Ashalynn Umiamaka.

Sophomore Amanda Riley was on the mound for the Hawks, and she went six innings, allowing just three hits, striking out six in the process.  The Iona hits came off the bats of junior first basemen Kristen Turner, Costello, and Newton.

Game 2: Monmouth 4, Iona 1

Sophomore Jessica Harkness pitched an effective game for Iona, going 6.1 innings and allowing just two runs, one earned.  However, the effort was not enough to muster a victory for the Maroon & Gold.  Monmouth score three runs in the top of the seventh to sweep the Gaels' opening MAAC doubleheader matchup.

Reyes used the first inning again to gather an RBI, bringing in Hill to take the 1-0 lead.  Iona senior centerfielder Jordan Courage waster no-time answering the deficit, taking the first pitch of her opening at-bat over the leftfield wall.

The game remained a closely contested tie until the top of the seventh, when another untimely error opening the floodgates for the Hawks.  Freshman Kimberly Chiapparelli overthrew Turner on a slow roller hit by sophomore Chloe Howerth, allowing Hill, pinch runner freshman Jasmine Higa, and Howerth herself to cross the plate.

Costello, Courage, Gergel, sophomores Tori Danner, and Courtney Miller each had one hit for the Maroon & Gold.

Of the 14 total runs scored by Monmouth on the day, only six were earned.

Iona will be hosting both Saint Peter's and Rider this weekend at Donald E. Walsh Field.  On both Saturday, and Sunday, the action begins at 12:00 pm.