JAMAICA, NY – Three errors abetted Iona softball to an 8-2 loss at St. John's on Tuesday afternoon. The contest was the Maroon & Gold's final non-conference game before the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference season begins this upcoming Saturday.
Iona took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Sophomore Jasmine Temple drove home rookie Natalia Meray, who had started the game with a walk. St. John's threatened to draw even in the bottom of the first but senior Tori Danner gunned down sophomore Marissa Rizzi on an attempted steal to halt the Red Storm attack.
The Gael lead would be relinquished in the bottom of the second with St. John's senior Savannah Warren driving home two with a RBI double to left center. The Red Storm tagged on five additional runs in the third to make the score 7-1.
Rookie Samantha Bender started the game and went 2.1 innings. She allowed seven runs, four of which were earned, without striking out a batter. Junior Alana Evans came in to relieve Bender and finished the third inning.
The Maroon & Gold chipped away with a run in the top of the fourth inning. Sophomore Ciarra DiGuilio walked with one out and was eventually driven home by a triple from junior second basemen Hailey Thompson. The three-bagger was the first hit of the day for Iona and Thompson's second of the season.
St. John's tacked on one final run one the bottom of the sixth inning. Evans' pitching line in relief concluded at 3.1 innings thrown with one earned run allowed and two strikeouts. The Red Storm collected four hits and three walks against the two-time MAAC Pitcher of the Week.
Senior McKenzie Murray went six innings on the rubber for St. John's. She limited Iona to three hits and struck out five batters. Junior Madison Morris closed out the game with a clean seventh inning. The Red Storm were led offensively by Rizzi and Warren who combine for five hits, four RBI, and three runs scored.
Saturday, Mar. 31 marks Iona's home and MAAC-opener. The Gaels host the Saint Peter's Peacocks at Donald E. Walsh Field at Rice Oval for a pair of battles beginning at noon.
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