NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College baseball program earned a split against the Rider Broncs in a home Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader at City Park. The Gael defense struggled in an 8-0 loss in game one but a patient approach in the batter's box in game two resulted in a 4-2 win.

GAME ONE: Rider 8, Iona 0

Over the first three innings, Rider and Iona combined to leave seven runners on base. The Gael defense gunned down a Bronc runner attempting to go from first to third in the first inning. Rider starter Vincent Vitacco left two Gaels on base in both the second and third inning.
 
The Broncs took advantage of a fielding miscue that led off the top of the fourth inning. Sebastian Williamson reached base on the error and then stole second base. He came around to score on a seeing-eye single through the right side by Riley Mihalik. The Broncs continued to threaten, loading the bases with two outs. Iona starter Stephen Hansen escaped the juiced jam getting the Rider nine-hitter to pop out to left field.
 
The Gael defense let down again in the top of the fifth inning. With runners on second a third and one out, the infield crept in an attempt to cut down the runner at home. A groundball from Mihalik snuck underneath Brian Picone's backhand attempt at second base, resulting in Mike Ionta and Williamson scoring.
 
Iona stranded one runner on base over the fifth, sixth and seventh inning while trailing 3-0. In the penultimate frame, the Maroon & Gold brought the tying run to the dish. Sophomore Sam Punzi and senior Fran Kinsey both singled, allowing junior Stephen Furman to step in with a chance to make an impact. After a strong at-bat, the Gael threat ended with a sharp groundball to the first basemen.
 
Hansen was replaced in the top of the ninth inning by junior Jason Goetz. The Gaels committed three errors in the inning, resulting in five Bronc runs. Williamson and Mihalik had the only two hits of the frame.
 
All runs scored by the Rider Broncs against the Iona pitchers were unearned. Hansen's went eight innings, allowing nine hits, three unearned walks while walking none and striking out three. He threw 91 pitches. Goetz pitched the ninth and threw 33 pitches.
 
Vitacco threw eight innings for Rider and silenced the Maroon & Gold defense. He allowed just five hits and walked two. The Gaels struck out five times against him. Kyle Smith pitched a one-two-three ninth inning.
 
Kinsey and sophomore Michael Gorman went 2-for-4 from the plate. Senior Niko Switalla reached base twice on a walk and hit by pitch.
 
Williamson went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and one run batted in. Mihaik had two hits and a pair of runs batted in. Ionta had two hits and crossed the plate once.

GAME TWO: Iona 4, Rider 2

Patience was the key to success for Iona in game two. The Gaels fell behind 2-0 after the first two innings despite loading the bases in both at-bats. They didn't get their first hit till Furman hit a liner up the middle in the bottom of the third.
 
The fourth inning was a turning point. Mihalik led the inning off with a double down the right field line. At that moment, Iona starter, junior Chris Dodrill, bared down. He retired the next three Broncs in order, stranding the leadoff runner on third. Come the home half, it was two-out magic for the Maroon & Gold. Switalla was hit by a pitch to conclude a ten pitch at-bat. He was followed by a single from Kinsey and walk by Punzi. The Gaels finally scratched a run across the board with rookie Jake Field earned a five pitch free pass. Iona did eventually leave the bases loaded for the third time in the four at-bats.
 
The Gaels took their first lead in the bottom of the fifth. Gorman and graduate Jon Budesa reached base to start the attack and were sacrificed over by Picone. Senior Joe DeMaio walked, loading the bases for the top of the Iona order.
 
Rider brought in their final pitcher of the game, the MAAC's leader in saves, Zach Gakeler. He proceeded to throw a wild pitch, allowing Gorman to scamper home with the game-tying run. Iona's game-winning run was driven home by Switalla on a fielder's choice. The insurance score was brought home by a groundout by Kinsey.
 
With a 4-2 lead, senior Antionio Velardi entered the game replacing Dodrill. He allowed a leadoff single but then struck out Brennan McAllister and got Richie Tecco to bound into a game-ending double-play.
 
Dodrill earned his first win of the season in his first MAAC start going six innings and surrendering two earned runs on five hits. He struck out three batters and threw 78 pitches.
 
Iona grinded the Rider pitches throughout the entirety of game two. They had eight walks and Switalla himself earned an icepack being hit three times. Constant pressure resulted in 12 runners left on base. The Broncs outhit the Gaels 8-4 and left four runners on base.
 
With the win, the Maroon & Gold snapped an eight-game losing streak and six-game conference losing streak.

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• Iona's five errors in game one is the most in a single-game this season.
• Iona's eight walks in game two is tied for the second most this season. The season-high came at home against Stony Brook in an 11-7 loss on Apr. 3. The Seawolves also hit two batters that game.
• The Gaels have not scored more than four runs in six straight games. They have not hit over .250 as a team in a single-game since Mar. 29 against Seton Hall in a 5-0 win. That was the end of a three-game stretch where Iona batted over .270 as a team.
• Velardi ranks fourth in the MAAC with four saves this season. His last save was on Mar. 26 at Fairleigh Dickinson. Velardi has allowed one earned run in his last five outings and innings pitched.
• Field and Punzi have both reached base 13 straight games.

UP NEXT

Iona and Rider complete the three game series with a rubber match tomorrow afternoon at noon at City Park. Follow the action via live stats.

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