JERSEY CITY, NJ – The Maroon & Gold took care of business in a doubleheader sweep at Saint Peter's on Sunday afternoon, clinching a berth into the MAAC Championship Tournament. The Gaels hit eight homeruns over the course of 10 innings, including a program-record six in game two.
GAME ONE: Iona 11, Saint Peter's 1 (5 Innings)
Iona got it going in the first inning against the Peacocks starter, sophomore Tiffani Lambert. Senior left fielder Ashlyn Morris and sophomore right fielder Marisa Gergel led things off with back-to-back singles, then senior first basemen Kristen Turner cleaned up with a three-run homer.
Saint Peter's got a run back in the bottom of the first behind a pair of doubles from junior Shamar Sanchez and freshman Brianna Hutchinson. Sophomore Alana Evans was able to escape early first inning trouble by striking out a pair and stranding two Peacocks on base.
Senior centerfielder Kelsey Long led off the second with a double and was immediately driven home with an RBI single from Morris. In a repeat of the first inning, Gergel followed her fellow outfielder with another one-bagger, then Turner hit her second round-tripper of the day. Through two innings, the three-time All-MAAC First Team selection had driven home six of the Maroon & Gold's seven runs.
With her second homerun, Turner has bashed double-digit homeruns this season; she has done so in every year here at Iona with a career-best 12 coming her sophomore season in 2015.
After allowing a run in the first inning, Evans recorded an incredibly efficient shutout second inning by striking out the side, all via the backwards K.
Come the fourth inning, Iona made the score 9-1 with more damage caused by the top of the order. Gergel doubled and Turner followed with a walk. Junior catcher Tori Danner slapped a double that allowed both runners to cross the plate.
Still with nobody out, senior shortstop Katie Newton and freshman designated player Jasmine Temple singled to load the bases for sophomore Kimberly Chiapparelli. Iona's hot corner minder brought the Gaels run total to double-digits with a single to score sophomore pinch runner Samantha Mello. Long brought another run home on a ground out, making the score 11-1 after four Iona at-bats.
Evans through all five innings, allowing the lone run on two hits. She struck out eight of the 18 batters she faced.
Iona was 12-for-12 with runners on base, and an outstanding 8-for-14 with runner in scoring position.
GAME TWO: Iona 12, Saint Peter's (5 Innings)
The Maroon & Gold's offensive momentum from game one carried over to the start of game two. Morris led the game off with a single, and soon it was bases loaded with one out for Newton. Newton made sure it wasn't a squander with an RBI and Iona gained an early 1-0 lead after a half inning.
Evans began game two for the Gaels after earning the win in game one. Stating by allowing runners to get on second and third courtesy of walks and wild pitches, the two-time reigning MAAC Pitcher of the Week collected herself and retired seniors Samantha Storms and Candice Koch to strand two Peacocks in scoring position.
The record setting home run barrage began in the second inning when Chiapparelli and Long both blasted solo home runs; their seventh and fourth of the season respectively.
In the top of the third inning, Danner, Temple, and Chiapparelli each hit dingers that elevated the Gael advantage to 7-0.
Come the fourth frame, Danner joined Turner and Chaipparelli in the two-homer trend with a two-run blast. After four at-bats, the Gaels led the Peacocks 12-0.
After a leadoff walk, Saint Peter's got its first hit in the bottom of the fourth with a double by Storms. With nobody out and runners in scoring position, Evans cranked down once again, like the first inning, and prevented the home team from getting on the board.
The Peacocks did get on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning. Hutchinson delivered a two RBI single to prevent a second shutout of the day for Evans.
Iona finished the day hitting eight total homeruns, and their 12 runs scored in game two is tied for the 10th most ever in a single game. Its six homeruns in game two is a new single-game program record; the previous mark of five was set back on Apr. 12 in 2015 against Saint Peter's.
With two wins today, the Maroon & Gold are now 14-4 in MAAC play. They remain in first place and control their own destiny in regards to the Regular Season Championship come next Sunday, May 7, when Manhattan travels to New Rochelle, NY.
