WASHINGTON, DC – The Iona College softball program completed an undefeated weekend at the District Classic with a pair of wins against Columbia and Virginia. The Gaels bashed six extra-base hits and batted .481 when there were two outs between both games.
GAME ONE: Iona 5, Columbia 0
Sophomore Marnie Skinner spun a gem as the Maroon & Gold registered their third straight win and second straight shutout. Skinner picked up her second win of the season going seven innings, stranding eight hits, and striking out four. Not just doing work in the circle, the 2017 All-MAAC Rookie Team honoree collected her first two collegiate hits and scored a run on the offensive end.
Freshman Natalia Meray went a perfect 4-for-4 from the leadoff position. She drove in two runs and scored one herself. Juniors Marisa Gergel and Kimberly Chiapparelli each had two hits and crossed the plate once.
Iona's first run came across in the top of the second with Meray's second hit of the game. Her single up the middle scored Skinner. The scoreboard read 1-0 until sophomore Rebeca Gabbert batted home senior Courtney Miller in the fifth. After advancing to second on a throw home attempting to get Miller, Gabbert scored to make it 3-0 courtesy of Meray's second RBI base-knock.
Two additional insurance came come in the seventh via of hits from Gergel and senior Tori Danner.
All five Iona runs were scored with two outs. Gaels littered the bases throughout the game. While five runs scored, 12 runners were still squandered on base.
GAME TWO: Iona 10, Virginia 6
The Gaels brought the lumber in the District Classic finale as they took down ACC foe Virginia, 10-6. Sophomores Ciarra DiGuilio, Jasmine Temple and Chiapparelli each had three RBI and combined for four hits and two walks. Temple, a 2017 All-MAAC Rookie Team selection, bashed her first home run of the season, and DiGiulio knocked out her team-leading third of the young season.
Virginia jumped out early with an unearned run in the top of the first inning. The Gaels answered immediately in the bottom half with Chiapparelli bringing home Gergel and Meray on an opposite field double down the right field line. Already up by one, Temple continued the two-out success from game one against Columbia with a homerun to centerfield.
The Cavaliers tied the game in the top of the second and took a one run lead in the top the third inning. Trailing 4-3, head coach Melissa Inouye swapped hurlers. Rookie Samantha Bender allowed five runs, four earned, in her three innings of work. She struck out one while allowing four extra-base hits.
Evans entered the game in relief and settled down the pending Cavalier offensive avalanche. She closed the game's final four innings while allowing just two hits and one earned run. Her efforts ensured her second winning decision of the day and improved her season record to 2-2.
Iona and Virginia traded two runs in the fourth inning. The score finally pulled in the Maroon & Gold's favor when DiGuilio took a 2-1 pitch and drove a three-run homer to left center in the bottom of the sixth. Her third blast of the season scored Danner and Meray and pushed Iona in front for good.
Gergel, Danner, and Chiapparelli led the Maroon & Gold with three hits apiece. Meray and DiGuilio each drew two walks.
The Gaels lineup hit 6-for-12 with two outs and when runners where in scoring positions. They efficiently handled advancement opportunities at a .684 clip.
Iona's does not have much rest as it returns to action on Friday, Mar. 9 against Robert Morris in Clearwater, FL. The game is the first of five at the University of South Florida Tournament.
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