FAIRFIELD, CT – The Iona College baseball program lost a pair of games to Fairfield at Alumni Diamond on Friday. Despite playing on opponents' turf, the Maroon & Gold were the home team against the Stags due to scheduling changes made necessary by COVID-19 pauses within other Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference schools.
Will Jennings had a strong day in the batters box as he extended his reach base streak to nine and his hitting game streak to four. On Friday he had two runs scored, four hits and three doubles.
GAME ONE RECAP: FAIRFIELD 4, IONA 2
Fairfield and Iona traded scoring chances over the first four innings of game one, but the contest was scoreless entering the fifth frame. The Stags left the bases loaded in the first inning the Maroon & Gold stranded one runner in the second, third and fourth frame.
The Stags got on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth inning with a solo home run blast from Mike Caruso. Following a groundout, Mike Handal doubled down the left field line. Handel scored on a full-count, two-out single to centerfield off the bat of Justin Guerrera. Guerrera stole second base and advanced to third on an error, but Iona starter
Zach Grace stranded him at third with a strikeout to end the inning.
The Gaels hurler went the first five innings and allowed the two earned runs on two hits and three walks. Grace struck out a career-high nine batters.
Iona bounced back and cut into the deficit in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jennings doubled down the right field line with one out.
Nick Carnevale reached base on an error and with one out it was runners on first and third.
Tony Santa Maria, the reigning MAAC Rookie of the Week, hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Jennings and made the score, 2-1.
In the bottom of the sixth inning the Gaels got another productive run-scoring out when
Thomas Hojnacki grounded out to third allowing
Jake Liberatore to run home and tie the game at two apiece. Liberatore had gotten on base with a single to lead off the frame. The Gaels left the leading run on third base when Cannon grounded out to end the threat.
Fairfield took the lead for good in the top of the seventh inning. Griffin Watson walked to lead off the inning and later he advanced to second on a Maroon & Gold error. Handal singled to centerfield to score Watson and give the Stags the 3-2 edge. Handal later scored on a second Gael error of the frame, allowing the Stags to double-up, 4-2.
The Maroon & Gold went down in order in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Michael Sansone started the game for Fairfield and he went the full seven innings allowing two runs, one earned, on three hits and one walk. He struck out six Gael batters. Brandon Smith suffered the losing decision for the Gaels allowing the two Stags runs in the top of the seventh.
Handal had three hits in four plate appearances at the leadoff spot for the Stags. Jennings had two hits for Iona and Liberatore chipped in with one.
Iona and Fairfield combined to go 3-for-28 with runners on base in game one. The Stags left eight runners on base while the Gaels stranded five.
GAME TWO RECAP: FAIRFIELD 4, IONA 2
Fairfield struck early in the top of the first inning with a two-run double off the bat of Mike Becchetti. He plated Dan Ryan and Sean Cullen, who both reached on a fielder's choice. Handal had a double to start off the game before being gunned out at third to set the tone.
Iona bounced back and helped Iona starter
Drew Helmstetter with two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Cannon singled through the left side and Jennings followed it up with a double to right fight. With runners on second and third with one out,
Luca Lotito hit a sacrifice fly to plate Cannon. Carnevale tied the game scoring Jennings with a two-out double to right field.
The Stags retook the lead in the top of the fifth inning. Caruso singled to the shortstop with one out and then stole second base. Ryan would eventually hit a single to left field that pushed Caruso across the plate and give Fairfield a 3-2 lead.
Fairfield added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning. Hadal, who was a nuisance for the Maroon & Gold all day, singled home Caruso for an unearned run that made the score 4-2.
Helmstetter suffers the loss, his first loss of the season, allowing three runs. Jake Noviello eearns the win and Nick Grabek gets the safe for the Stags.
UP NEXT
The Gaels and Stags continue their series tomorrow afternoon at Alumni Diamond. First pitch of the first game is scheduled for noon. Both games are being streamed on the Stags Network and fans can also follow along with live stats and Iona Athletics social media.
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