NEW ROCHELLE, NY - In a game that featured 15 runs, 32 hits, 476 pitches and 14 total innings, the Iona College baseball team fell to Fairfield 8-7 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at City Park. The Gaels came back from down a run in the ninth and 10th innings but could not get the magic in the 14th in the defeat.

Junior 1B/3B Matt Byrne and freshman 2B Sean Breen each went 3-for-7 with a run scored in the contest. Breen drove in two runs including a game-tying RBI in the eighth and ninth innings.

Junior DH Lou Matarazzo collected a pair of RBI base hits in the loss. He doubled home senior LF Travis Mistretta from first base for the game's opening run in the bottom of the fourth and a single that gave Iona a 5-4 lead in the eighth. Senior RF Kyle DiVico and sophomore CF Jon Budesa also collected two hits for the Maroon & Gold.

Seven pitchers combined in the 14 innings for the Gaels. Junior RHP Bill Maier tossed five strong innings allowing a run on five hits with two strikeouts and four walks. Junior RHP Vinny Martin did not allow a hit or a run in his three innings in relief, pitching the 11th, 12th and 13th innings but ran into trouble with six walks and a hit batter, although one was intentional and the other to pitch around a dangerous hitter. Junior RHP Jake Kurz took the loss.

Fairfield RF Jake Salpietro was 4-for-7 and reached a fifth time on a hit by pitch. DH Troy Scocca and SS Michael Conti reached base five times, Scocca with a hit and four walks and Conti with two hits and three free passes. The Stags Mike Bonaiuto came on in the eighth inning and held on in the 14th after surrendering the lead on three separate occasions.

Following the contest, the two teams agreed to postpone Saturday's scheduled doubleheader until Sunday due to inclement weather forecast for tomorrow afternoon. The series resumes at noon Sunday (Apr. 10).