CLEARWATER, FL – Iona had its winning streak snapped at five games following a day one split at the Under Armour Classic hosted by the University of South Florida. The Gaels picked up a win against Robert Morris in the tournament opener before falling to Bethune-Cookman in extra-innings.
GAME ONE: Iona 4, Robert Morris 3
Junior Alana Evans threw a full seven innings and allowed three earned runs while matching a season-high with nine strikeouts. She was able to spin a solid start despite Robert Morris' five hits and five drawn walks.
The Iona bats faced three Colonial hurlers and managed to come away with the victory despite just three hits. The Maroon & Gold showed patience at the plate drew nine walks. Sophomore Ciarra DiGuilio had a team-high three free passes and two base-on-balls were taken by rookie Natalia Meray and junior Hailey Thompson.
Robert Morris jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The Gaels bounced back to tie the game in the bottom of the third with Meray scoring on a wild pitch and Gergel crossing the plate on of DiGuilio's walks. The Colonials retook the lead in the top of the fifth inning but didn't last long.
Senior Courtney Miller tied the game at 3-3 with a RBI single to left field to score senior pinch runner Samantha Mello. Sophomore Rebecca Gabert gave the Gaels their winning run with a sacrifice fly ball to centerfield. DiGuilio crossed the plate after having reached base on her third free pass.
All three of the Colonials' runs were scored by the top three in their batting over. Combined they went 3-for-6 with two walks, three hits and three runs; they rest of the order collaborated to go 2-for-17 with one walk.
GAME TWO: Bethune-Cookman 6, Iona 4 (8 Innings)
The Wildcats withstood a Gael comeback and ended the Maroon & Gold's five-game winning streak in extra innings. Bethune-Cookman scored three of its six runs in the extra frame against sophomore Marnie Skinner. Skinner, now sitting at 2-2 on the year, went the full 8.0 innings and struck out seven but struggled a bit with control. She hit three batters, including one in the eighth inning.
The Iona offense couldn't capitalize on many scoring opportunities. It left 11 runners on base, four of which came in the sixth inning and onward. Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the first, sophomore Jasmine Temple doubled to right center bring home Meray and cut the deficit to one. The Gaels took the lead in the bottom of the third with senior Tori Danner scoring on a wild pitch. Just prior, junior Kimberly Chiapparelli grounded out and drive home junior Marisa Gergel to tie the game.
In their final at-bat, the Maroon & Gold got the tying run on base before the rally fell short. Thompson singled up the middle to score Diguilio to bring Iona within two. Meray wouldn't let the game die with two outs with a base-knock to center field. With good speed on the bases, the Wildcats escaped with Gergel grounding out to second base.
The Gaels continue the Under Armour Invitational against Delaware State and the University of South Florida tomorrow, Saturday, Mar. 10.
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