NORFOLK, VA - The Iona College baseball team ended its opening weekend road trip in Norfolk Virginia falling to Old Dominion by a final score of 19-1. ODU responded to a first inning run by the Gaels with a run in the first and four more runs in the second inning on their way to victory to close out the three-game weekend series. 

GAME SUMMARY

After going 3-4 in yesterday's contest senior Jake Field stayed hot, ripping a two-out solo home run to left field giving the Maroon & Gold the early 1-0 lead. It was Iona's second time in the series, scoring first at Bud Metheny Stadium. 

After a sac-fly that tied the game for ODU, freshman starter Nick Chiaia in his collegiate debut was able to get out of the inning for the Gaels with a groundout to keep the score tied at 1 through one inning of play.

To start things off in the bottom of second, Chiaia recorded his first career strikeout, but unfortunately off a passed ball, the runner was able to reach first safely. ODU capitalized, as the following batter doubled, leading to a four run inning to open up a 5-1 advantage.   

The Gaels second hit of the game came from junior Nick Forney, lining a double into left field in the fourth inning, for his second hit of the season. Monarchs starter Sam Armstrong was able to get out of the inning with a flyout to shortstop. 

In relief for the Gaels, junior Thomas O'Sullivan recorded his first strikeout on the season but not before ODU was able to score two more runs and followed it up in the next inning, plating five more runs in the bottom of the 5th to extend their lead to 12-1. Old Dominion managed to score seven more runs over the final three innings to win the series finale, 19-1.

Sophomore Alex Hunt struck out two batters in his lone inning of work out of the bullpen along with senior Michael Untracht who also recorded two strikeouts in relief. Freshman Joey Kasper also made an appearance on the mound for the Gaels and earned his first career strikeout in the 7th inning.

Field finishes the weekend three-game series batting .500, with five hits, two-runs scored, and an RBI. His first inning home run is his fifth of his career and 45th RBI for the Maroon & Gold.

UP NEXT

Iona baseball returns to action next weekend when they travel to Knoxville Tennessee to face SEC Powerhouse, Tennessee. Game one of the series is scheduled for next friday February, 25th at 4:30PM airing on the SEC Network.  

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