FARMVILLE, VA – The Iona College baseball program dropped its final two contests against Longwood on Saturday. Senior Sean Scales led Iona with four hits between the two games.
GAME ONE: Longwood 11, Iona 2
Both Iona runs came in the third inning off back-to-back singles by Scales and junior Fran Kinsey. Scoring on the base-knocks were graduate Tyler Bruno and Kinsey.
The Lancers offense hit the gas pedal in the fifth and seventh innings. Longwood had nine runs scored and 11 hits in those two frames combined. The onslaught in the seventh inning began with six runs scored before the second out of the frame was recorded.
Senior Joe DeRosa started for Iona and went the first six innings allowing four earned runs on eight hits, one walk and two wild pitches.
Senior Lou Matarazzo joined Scales and Kinsey as the only three players to have hits in game one. Bruno and freshman Derek Becker each drew one walk.
GAME TWO: Longwood 3, Iona 1
Iona had offensive threats throughout the afternoon finale against Longwood but only mustered one run on eight hits while stranding eight runners on base. The Gaels loaded the bags in the first inning with Kinsey, Scales and senior Seth Hoagland crowding the base paths. Sophomore Stephen Hansen was unable to bring runs across despite a strong full-count at-bat.
The Lancers pitching staff struck out seven batters and daces around three walks. Iona left runners on base in six innings, but were left silent in the eighth and ninth.
Head coach Pat Carey mixed and mashed his way through four pitchers for an overall strong pitching effort. Senior Dan McBryan started and went 2.2 innings allowing one unearned run on two hits and three walks. He struck out six of his eight recorded outs. Senior Patrick Ryan threw 1.1 innings and saw two runs cross the plate on three hits and two walks.
Closing out the game was the combination of graduate Vinny Martin and sophomore Stephen Hansen. Martin threw a team-best 3.1 innings and allowed zero runs on no hits. He struck out three batters. Hansen hurled the last two-thirds scoreless.
Sophomore Brian Picone scored the Gaels' lone run and was driven in by Matarazzo in the fifth inning. Scales had a team-best three hits while also drawing a free pass. Decker went 2-for-4 from the plate.
The Maroon & Gold's next game is the home-opener on Wednesday, Mar. 14 against the St. John's Red Storm. First pitch from City Park in New Rochelle is scheduled for 3:00 PM.
