CLEARWATER, FL – The Gaels showed their fight in a come from behind win over Northern Kentucky in extra innings. It was Iona's third extended contest of the young season, and its first win involving an extra frame.
Iona got its first run in the top of the second despite not recording a hit. After sophomore Ciarra DiGuilio began the inning striking out, sophomore Marnie Skinner reached first base on an error by the Norse shortstop. That was followed by walked from senior Courtney Miller and junior Hailey Thompson. With the bases loaded, rookie Natalie Meray hit a sacrifice fly to deep centerfield to score Skinner and give the Maroon & Gold a 1-0 lead.
Northern Kentucky scored all three of its runs in the third inning on a two-out three-run blast. That one blowup was the only blimp on an overall productive day for Skinner in the circle. She went six innings and struck out four while allowing six hits and zero walks.
Junior Marisa Gergel led Iona with three hits in her four at-bats. She gave the Maroon & Gold a chance in their final at-bat in the top of the seventh with a one out two-bagger. The fortuitous opportunity was fulfilled when sophomore Jasmine Temple hit a game-tying two-run homer over the left field fence.
The Gaels entered extra innings for the third time this season. The tournament rule of a runner being placed on second base put DiGuilio in scoring position with Skinner in the box. Iona's starting pitcher laid down bunt and reached on an error committed by the Norse second basemen. The miscue allowed DiGuilio to score with the game-winning run.
The bottom of the eighth saw drama unfold with Northern Kentucky getting the tying run to third base with one out. Junior Alana Evans came on to relief Skinner with one out and managed to strikeout the first batter she saw. A free pass was issued next which loaded the bases. The reigning MAAC Pitcher of the Week hammered down and picked up her first save of the season by inducing an easy pop out to Thompson.
Iona finishes its completion in the Under Armour Invite with a 7-7 overall team record. Its next competition is against the Maine Black Bears on a neutral field in Clearwater on Tuesday, Mar. 13. The first game is slated to begin at 10 AM.
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