NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Behind a pair of dynamic performances in the circle by sophomore Marnie Skinner and junior Alana Evans, the Iona College softball program began the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference season with a pair of wins over the Saint Peter's Peacocks.
GAME ONE: Iona 8, Saint Peter's 1
The Gael offense jumped out of the gate early with five runs in the bottom of the first inning. It began with sophomore Jasmine Temple and junior Kimberly Chiapparelli connecting on RBI base hits to bring home rookie Natalia Meray and junior Marisa Gergel. The big punch came with two outs; junior Hailey Thompson blazed a triple to the right center field gap that cleared the loaded bases. Chiapparelli crossed the plate in front of seniors Tori Danner and Courtney Miller.
Sophomore Ciarra DiGuilio bashed her team-leading fourth homerun of the season to begin the bottom of the third inning. The blast put the Peacocks on their heels, allowing the Gaels to pounce. Sophomore Rebecca Gabert took advantage of a dropped foul fly ball and loaded the bases on a single with one out for the top of the order. Meray and Gergel made Saint Peter's pay for its mistake with two RBI at-bats which gave Iona an 8-0 lead.
Saint Peter's scored its only run of the afternoon in the top of the fifth inning. The Peacocks loaded the bases with one out on a walk, error, and fielder's choice. Skinner allowed an unearned run to cross the plate when she hit sophomore Briana Hutchinson with a pitch. The 2017 All-MAAC Rookie Team member bounced back quickly and retired the next two Saint Peter's batters to limit the damage.
Every starter recorded at least one hit with Meray, Temple and Chiapparelli each tallying a pair. Seven different players crossed the plate; Miller stepped on home twice.
Skinner went the first six-inning in the circle and struck out four while allowing five hits and two walks. Senior Jessica Harkness closed the game with one inning of work.
Senior Nicole Feoli had two hits in the leadoff spot for the Peacocks. Junior Barbara Verrastro and sophomore Theamarris Ramirez each battled for one base-knock.
GAME TWO: Iona 1, Saint Peter's 0
Evans struck out a career-best 15 batters as part of a dominant seven inning shutout performance. It's tied for the second-most strikeouts in a single game by a Maroon & Gold pitcher. Evans is the fourth player to reach the milestone and the first since Alyssa Maiese ('12) struck out 15 against Niagara on Apr. 14, 2012.
The Peacocks had three hits and earned two free passes. Evans allowed just one hit after the second inning. Saint Peter's strongest scoring chance came in the second frame when two runners were left stranded.
Iona scored the game-deciding run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Gergel began the process getting hit by a pitch. Immediately after Temple hit a deep fly ball to right field that was misplayed by Peacock freshman Michelle Kugelmann. The error put runners on the corner and two pitches later freshman Kayla Hujber, who came in to pinch run for temple, stole second base. Chiapparelli walked to load the bases for DiGuilio. Ensuring an RBI in both games, DiGuilio hit a sacrifice fly ball that Gergel tagged up on to give the Maroon & Gold a 1-0 lead.
Temple had the lone two hits for the Gaels in their game two win. Senior Shamar Sanchez had two hits and Georgia Verrastro had one base-knock for Saint Peter's. Rookie Alyssa Adams and sophomore Alina Guevara each had one walk.
Iona's next competition is NEC member Sacred Heart on Wednesday, Apr. 4. The Gaels host the Pioneers for a doubleheader beginning at 2:30 PM.
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