SPARTANBURG, SC – The Iona College softball program dropped its first two games of the 2017 spring season on Friday at the USC Upstate & Furman University Tournament.
GAME ONE: Campbell 10, Iona 2
The Camels jumped out early scoring five runs over the first two innings against Gael starting pitcher, junior Jessica Harkness.
Sophomore Alana Evans in came to relieve Harkness in the fourth, and she finished the fame allowing five runs on four hits, and six walks. She and Harkness combined for three strikeouts.
Junior catcher Tori Danner went 2-for-2 from the plate, hitting her seventh career homerun in the fourth inning for the Gaels first run of the game. Sophomore third basemen Kimberly Chiapparelli connected on her first career collegiate homerun in the seventh inning.
Sophomore second basemen Hailey Thompson and junior right fielder Courtney Miller each had one hit for the Maroon & Gold.
Campbell pitcher, senior Amber Schisler was dominant in the circle and at the plate. She pitched seven innings, allowing two runs and five hits while striking out seven. From the cleanup spot in the Camels order, Schisler went 4-for-5, driving in two runs and scoring one herself.
GAME TWO: USC UPSTATE 3, IONA 1
Freshman Marnie Skinner stepped into the circle for the first time in her collegiate career and spun a neat six inning outing in a tough 3-1 loss to USC Upstate. The rookie allowed just three runs while striking out three and walking none.
The Iona offense sputtered with only three hits, two of which came in the final two innings. Senior shortstop Katie Newton earned the Gaels first hit in the fourth with an infield single. Senior leftfielder Ashlyn Morris and Thompson had the other two Maroon & Gold hits.
The top of the USC Upstate lineup suppled the entirety of the scoring for the host school. Sophomore Ansley Gilstrap, senior Ryan Rector and junior Karla Beasley each had one run batted in and combined for three hits and one run scored.
The Spartans scored all three of their runs in the fifth inning. They had four hits in the frame and were aided in the surge by a throwing error committed by Iona.
The Gaels attempted a seventh inning surge. Freshman Jasmine Temple began the inning with the walk and was pinch-ran for by sophomore Samantha Mello. Following a pair of outs, Miller reached base being hit by a pitch. Thompson followed it up with a single to center, leading to a bases loaded and two out situation. A pass ball allowed Mello to cross the plate and have the tying run reach scoring position, but Morris flew out to leftfield to end the game.
Iona softball returns to the diamond tomorrow at 11 AM against Campbell, and follows it up with a matchup against Presbyterian at 3 PM.
