NORFOLK, VA – A three-run eighth inning on top of solid pitching helped lead the Iona College baseball team to a 3-1 victory against Towson this afternoon, part of a three-game trip to Virginia.

After seven and half scoreless innings, the Gaels (5-7) broke through in the bottom of the eighth inning with three runs on two hits and an error. Joseph Lovecchio opened the inning with a walk and advanced to third two batters later on a Sean Breen single. The catcher scored the opening run as Niko Switalla reached on a fielder's choice, picking up the RBI.

Later in the eighth, Sean Scales added a pair of insurances runs with a two RBI single. The run scoring hit proved to be pivotal as the Tigers (8-5) scored once in the ninth before Jared Finkel close out the victory with a pair of ground outs. Finkel tossed the final two innings for the victory, his first win of the season, surrendering just two hits and the one run.

Patrick Ryan started for the Maroon & Gold, striking out four while allowing one hit and no walks. Stephen Hansen pitched the sixth and seventh, picking up a strikeout in two scoreless frames.

Both teams finished the afternoon with four hits each while Iona was able to take advantage of four walks.

The three-game trip to Virginia Wesleyan concludes tomorrow at 10:00 am as the Gaels face UMass Lowell.