SPARTANBURG, SC – Iona won its second straight late Sunday morning, toppling Presbyterian 8-5 in the finale of the USC Upstate & Furman University Tournament.  Six different players recorded hits for the Maroon & Gold in their most impressive offensive outing thus far this season.

The Gaels got a pair the board in the second inning courtesy of a single through the right side by sophomore centerfielder Marisa Gergel.

The Blue Hose made their run in the third inning, scoring four runs on four hits and one error.  Sophomore Jonnie Petree, freshman Lindsay Harris, and senior Hope Rogers each drove in one run to give Presbyterian a 4-2 lead.

Iona entered the fifth inning trailing, 5-2.  Following an initial groundout by Gergel, senior shortstop Katie Newton tripled down the right field line to catapult what was a five run eruption for the Maroon & Gold.  Newton crossed the plate via a throwing error, and then a few batters later, sophomore third basemen Kimberly Chiapparelli stepped up to the plate.

The second-year player smashed her third home run of the season, a grand slam that put Iona out in front 7-5.  The dinger scored sophomore Samantha Mello, who pinch ran for senior Kristen Turner, senior Ashlyn Morris, and freshman Ciarra DiGuilio.

Iona tacked on an insurance run in the seventh when junior catcher Tori Danner clonked her third home run of the year.

Skinner bounced back from a rough third inning and proceeded to finish the game allowing just one more run on two hits.  The rookie earned her first win of her collegiate career, going seven innings and striking out a total of five.

The Gaels left just one runner on base while the Blue Hose stranded five.

The Maroon & Gold's next contest is against Saint Joseph's on Saturday, March 4 in the opening contest of the Elon University Tournament.