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Iona University Athletics

Jake Liberatore
8
Winner Iona College ION 2-7
6
George Mason MASON 0-8
Winner
Iona College ION
2-7
8
Final
6
George Mason MASON
0-8
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Iona College ION 0 0 3 0 3 1 0 1 0 8 11 1
George Mason MASON 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 1 6 11 6

W: Ferraioli, Mario (1-1) L: Beasley,J (0-3) S: Sharkey, James (1)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Jonathan Stanko

Iona Baseball Hangs On Against George Mason, 8-6

Jake Liberatore, Brian Picone and Jake Field combined to go 7-for-12 with six runs scored, six runs batted in and two walks.

FAIRFAX, VA – The top of the batting order carried Iona College baseball to its second straight win against George Mason, 8-6. Jake Liberatore, Brian Picone and Jake Field combined to go 7-for-12 with six runs scored, six runs batted in and two walks.

Mario Ferraioli earned his first win of the season going six scoreless innings allowing only five hits and two walks while striking out five. James Sharkey gets the save for the Gaels closing out the final two innings surrendering one unearned run.

GAME SUMMARY

Iona's offensive went quietly in the first two innings but pounced with two outs in the top of the third inning. Derek Becker singled through the left side and advanced to third on a throwing error. The batting order turned over and Liberatore singled home Becker with a base knock through the right side. Picone had an infield single and both he and Liberatore advanced to scoring position on a wild pitch. Field hit his first of two doubles on the day to drive home Iona's table-setters and make the Gaels lead 3-0.

The Maroon & Gold doubled its lead in the top of the fifth inning, again with the top of the order leading the charge. Liberatore walked on eight pitches to lead off. Picone then blasted a 1-1 pitch over the left field wall for a 5-0 lead. Field continued the offensive train with a double to left center. He advanced to third on a throwing error by George Mason, and then eventually scored on a second fielding miscue.

George Mason made a pitching change in the top of the sixth inning with Stuart Barrett replacing starter James Beasley. The Patriot hurler pitched the first five innings allowing six runs, two earned, on one walk, two wild pitches and six hits.

Field was again involved with a run scoring play in the top half of the sixth inning. He reached on a fielder's choice and Becker was able to come around and score to make the score 7-0. Ferraioli allowed a leadoff double in the bottom of the sixth inning, but then retired the next three batters and stranded a Patriot at third base.

Ferraioli was replaced in the seventh inning by Vinny Martin. The first five batters he faced reached base and as a result the patriots were able to crawl their way back into the game. Daniel Brooks and Corey Leadenham walked and scored on a triple to left center from Craig Miles Jr. Jack Fitzgerald came in as a pinch hitter and delivered an RBI single to make it 7-3.

Martin settled in and struck out the next two batters and had chance to escape without allowing any further runs. However, George Mason got back-to-back singles and two more runs came across to score. Brendan Smith came in to replace Martin and after hitting a batter to put the leading run on base, he got a key backwards K to strand the bases load.

With the Patriots' momentum crashing up against them, the Gaels got back on tracks in the top of the eighth inning. And rinse, wash, repeat; it was the top of the order again.

Liberatore double to left since and advanced to third on a throw. After Picone struck out, Field hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Liberatore and make the score 8-5.

Sharkey got the call from head coach Paul Panik in the bottom of the eighth inning. He allowed one hit in the eighth and had to dance around some trouble in the ninth before locking down the win. The Patriots scored one unearned run and had the leading run on base but Sharkey hunkered down and got a swinging strikeout to end the game.

NOTABLE NUGGETS

  • Iona set or tied season-highs in multiple offensive categories: 41 at-bats, eight runs score, 11 hits, six runs batted in, three double and a stolen base. Pitching wise the Gaels also struck out 10 batters for the second time this season and second game in a row.
  • Field and Picone are both currently riding six game hitting streaks.
  • Eight different Iona players have multi-RBI games this season.
  • Ferraioli's winning decision is his first since April 28, 2018 at Quinnipiac when he throw a no-hitter in a 3-0 Gaels victory.

UP NEXT

Iona plays the series finale against George Mason tomorrow, Sunday, March 29, at 1:00 p.m. Fans can follow the Maroon & Gold via live stats and can watch via ESPN+.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Be sure to follow Iona College athletics on all social media platforms:
ICGaels: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Email Updates)
Iona Baseball: Twitter and YouTube (Email Updates)



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