ANNANDALE, NY – The Iona College baseball program earned a split of today's doubleheader against Marist College at Bard College to conclude the three-game MAAC series. The Gaels (6-10, 1-2 MAAC) opened the day with a 3-1 victory while the Red Foxes (11-8, 2-1 MAAC) claimed a 10-3 victory in the finale.

Game One

Following two scoreless innings to start the seven-inning opener, the Maroon & Gold struck first with a two runs in the top of the third. After leading the inning off with a single, Joseph Lovecchio scored with two outs on a RBI single up the middle from Fran Kinsey. Brian Picone scored during the next at-bat as Fran Kinsey stole second to produce a Marist error.

Anthony Lazar helped the Red Foxes cut the deficit in half during the bottom of the third, starting with a one out single. The sophomore followed with a steal of second and third before scoring on a wild pitch.

Iona added an insurance run to a 2-1 lead during the fourth as Lovecchio earned the RBI this time around. The catcher drove in Matt Flannery who reached earlier on a fielder's choice and advanced to second on a throwing error.

The three runs proved to be enough support for starter Patrick Ryan and reliever Jared Finkel as the duo held Marist to two hits. Ryan tossed the first five innings, striking out six while allowing one hit and one run before Finkel earned his third save of the season with the final two innings of work, allowing just one hit.  

Game Two

After falling behind 2-0, the Maroon & Gold rallied in the top of the fifth inning with three runs on four hits to claim the advantage. With two runners on, Fran Kinsey singled to center to score Jon Budesa before Sean Breen drove in Kinsey and Picone with a double to left center.

Iona held the 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the sixth before Marist scored eight runs throughout the next two innings. Patrick Lightner tied the score with a sacrifice bunt. The Red Foxes followed with a pair of two RBI hits from Frankie Gregoire and Andrew Rouse.

In the seventh, Lightner scored on an error following a single from Lazar to increase the advantage to 9-3. Lazar later scored to make it 10-3 after stealing third and scoring on a throwing error. Five errors led to five unearned runs for Iona in the finale.

The Gaels return home on Tuesday to host Seton Hall for a 3:30 pm first pitch at City Park. The contest marks only the second home game in the first 17 games for the Maroon & Gold this season.