SUFFERN, NY – A 12-run eighth inning in the opener helped highlight a doubleheader sweep, 15-5 and 16-1, for the Iona College baseball team against Saint Peter's this evening in MAAC action at Rockland Community College.

Game One

Trailing 5-3 going into the eighth inning of the first game of tonight's doubleheader, the Maroon & Gold (19-21, 12-8 MAAC) used just seven hits to plates 12 runs in the top half of the inning. Alex Beckett kicked off the scoring in the inning to bring Iona within one run behind a RBI double to score Nike Switalla. Lou Matarazzo earned the tying RBI behind a pinch-hit, bases loaded walk.

Tied at 5-5, Sean Scales scored an unearned run as Seth Hoagland reached on an error in the outfield. Fran Kinsey pushed the lead to 8-5 with a two RBI single before Sean Breen drew the second bases loaded walk of the frame.

The Gaels scored six more runs in the inning that included a double from Tyler Bruno to plate two runs. In the bottom of the eighth, Antonio Velardi was able to work around a bases loaded jam without a runner scoring. Stephen Hansen closed out the ninth with a 1-2-3 inning that included a strikeout.

Bill Maier tossed seven strong innings in the victory, striking out five. Offensively, four players each tallied two hits that included Switalla tallying two runs and two RBI.

Game Two

In the nightcap, Iona totaled 17 hits to pick up a 16-1 victory that was highlighted by a nine-run seventh after holding a 7-1 advantage.

The offense started early with three runs throughout the first and second innings. Scales earned the first RBI with a single in the first to score Kinsey while Bruno earned a RBI and Joe Lovecchio scored in the second.

After the Peacocks cut into the lead during the bottom of the third with a run, the Maroon & Gold scored four times in the fourth inning behind five hits. Kinsey notched two of the RBI with a single to left field, scoring Lovecchio and Hoagland. Later, Matarazzo and Scales were credited with RBI singles to close out the scoring.

Leading 7-1 heading into the final innings, the Gaels touched home nine times with eight hits in the seventh inning. Kinsey added two more RBI in the inning with a single to left before Matarazzo added a RBI single and Scales double to scored two runs. Joe DeMaio also posted a two RBI hit while Lovecchio and Jon Budesa added a RBI each.

Joe DeRosa picked up his first win of the season by tossing a complete game, two strikeout performance. He also did not walk a batter while allowing just three hits and one run. Offensively, Hoagland scored four times in the finale while Scales drove in four. Meanwhile, Kinsey posted two hits, four RBI and three runs.

Looking ahead, the three-game series looks to wrap up on Sunday at 1:00 pm at Saint Peter's.