NEW ROCHELLE, NY - Middle inning scoring proved to be the difference for the Iona College baseball team this afternoon in an 8-6 non-conference win versus LIU Brooklyn at City Park.

Trailing 4-3 going into the bottom of the fourth inning, the Gaels (10-27) generated a pair of runs in each of the fourth and fifth innings to build a 7-4 advantage. Seth Hoagland led off the fourth with a single followed by a walk to Stephen Furman. A successful sacrifice from Michael Gorman moved the runners up a base with Tyler Bruno driving in the trying and go ahead run with a single two batters later. 

The Maroon & Gold managed to put two runners again in the fifth to start the inning as Lou Matarazzo walked and Niko Switalla singled up the middle. Fran Kinsey earned a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up with Hoagland driving in the pair of runs on a double that went through the right side of the infield. 

After LIU Brooklyn (20-17) cut into the deficit in the top of the fifth, Iona added an insurance run in the eighth Matarazzo drew a 3-2, bases loaded walk to plate Dion Austrie to put the hosts ahead 8-6. 

Schuyler Bates earned his second save of the season by striking out the first two batters he faced in the ninth in addition to a fly out to Hoagland in right field to end the game.

Michael DeSanti earned his first collegiate victory by logging three innings out of the bullpen, striking out three in the process. Kyle Ackley and Henry Conroy combined for 2.2 shutout innings in relief before handing the ball over to Bates.

Offensively, Hoagland and Bruno each tallied three RBI while Hoagland led the team with three hits and Bruno added two walks. Matarazzo also added two walks towards runs scored in addition to a hit and a RBI. Switalla added a 2-for-4 day with a pair of runs scored and a walk.

The Gaels return to the road tomorrow afternoon with a non-conference tilt at the University of Albany. Game time is scheduled for 3:30 pm.