NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College baseball program fell to local opponent St. John's in its home-opener on Wednesday afternoon. In frigid conditions at City Park, the Red Storm bested the Maroon & Gold, 7-1.

GAME SUMMARY

St. John's took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Brandon Miller hit into a fielder's choice and scored Carson Bartel. The run was unearned as Wyatt Mascarella reached based on an error, resulting in Bartel taking third base following his free pass.
 
Neither team had a hit until Gael junior Brian Picone had a one-out double down the right field line. The Red Storm left four runners on base of the first three innings without recording a hit an Iona stranded a pair in the first inning.
 
The Maroon & Gold made the first of its eight pitching changes in the top of the fourth inning with rookie Michael Untracht coming on to replace sophomore Michael DeSanti. The fresman worked around a leadoff double and walk, taking advantage of a strong defense play by Iona centerfielder Fran Kinsey. The senior fielded a single and gunned a missile home, forcing a rundown that resulted in a St. John's player being tagged out.
 
St. John's scored the eventual game-winning run in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI lineout sacrifice from Ryan Hogan.
 
Iona's lone run came in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two outs, senior Joe DeMaio singled to begin a rally. Picone and Kinsey reached base to load the bases for sophomore Sam Punzi. Kinsey's at-bat was a battle, and his efforts led to an eventual run with Punzi being struck by a stray curveball, forcing DeMaio across the plate.
 
St. John's scored one run in the sixth inning to take a 3-1 lead. The pivotal inning was the eighth. The Red Storm had three hits and earned two walks on way to scoring four runs to push the difference to 7-1.
 
Iona pitchers stranded 18 Red Storm runners on base. St. John's was incredibly effective with runners on third and less than two out, hitting 6-for-10 in such occasions. The Gaels were a perfect 6-for-6 when facing batters with the bases loaded.
 
Picone was dynamic from the leadoff spot. He reached base on all four plate appearances, collecting three hits and one walk. He had Iona's lone extra-base hit. Punzi, sophomore Derek Becker, and DeMaio had one hit each.
 
No relief pitcher threw more than one full complete inning.

UP NEXT

The Gaels return to action on Friday, Mar. 15 at George Washington. It is the first game of three-game set. All three games against the Colonials are being broadcasted on ESPN+.

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