NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Using a three-run rally in the sixth inning, the Iona College softball team pulled out a 3-1 come from behind win against neighborhood Big East foe St. John's. Six different Gaels recorded hits as sophomore Alana Evans earned her ninth win of the season in the circle.
Iona and St. John's each went scoreless for the first four innings. With one of in the top of the fifth, freshman Marissa Rizzi game the Red Storm a 1-0 lead with a homerun over the leftfield wall.
The Maroon & Gold had just one hit in the first four innings. Come the fifth, the Red Storm made a pitching change, taking out sophomore Madison Morris and replacing her in the circle with senior Grace Kramer. Iona relished in the change and immediately stringed together a couple hits for its first scoring opportunity. With runners on first and second, sophomore Marisa Gergel struck out pinch hitting to end the fast developing threat.
With the winds of momentum beginning to swing, senior Kristen Turner started the bottom of the sixth with a long double down the right field line. Sophomore Samantha Mello came in the pinch run, and junior Tori Danner knocked her over to third with a single to shortstop.
Freshman Rebecca Gabert entered the game to run for Danner and swiped her first career stolen base. With nobody out and two runners in scoring position, senior shortstop Katie Newton took a 2-2 pitch and lined it into centerfield, driving in the tying and game-winning runs.
Freshman designated player Jasmine Temple reached base on a fielder's choice, forcing Newton out at second. Sophomore third basemen struck out swinging, bringing Hailey Thompson to the plate. The sophomore second basemen took the first pitch she saw and clobbered her second triple of the season, driving home Temple and giving the Gaels a 3-1 lead.
Freshman Marnie Skinner entered in relief for Evans at the start of the seventh inning. The Red Storm loaded the bases on one hit, one walk and one hit by pitch, but Skinner honed down earned her first collegiate save.
The Gaels return to action on Friday, Apr. 14 at noon against Siena College in Albany, NY.
