MACON, GA - The Iona College softball team defeated Stetson 4-3 in extra innings at Sikes Field on Sunday afternoon.
Hannah Collins provided the game-winning single in the bottom of the eighth to help the Gaels beat the Hatters for the second time in as many days.
GAME SUMMARY
Kara Zazzaro and Lauren Hobbs were locked in a pitcher's duel over two-and-a-half innings to begin the day, but the Gaels offense changed that in the bottom of the third. Collins singled to lead off the inning and moved up to third on Brianna Bailey's single. Bailey swiped second and Haley Weaver reached on an error to load the bases with nobody out. Hobbs exited and Tino entered in relief for Stetson. She was greeted by Jessica Chilcott, who reached on an error that broke a scoreless tie. Tino settled in and retired the following three hitters to strand the bases loaded and keep the score close.
After a scoreless fourth frame, the Maroon & Gold added some insurance in the bottom of the fifth. Bailey and Weaver earned free passes to begin the inning. Sheeran would bring home the runners with a two-out single to the opposite field to make it 3-0 in favor of the Gaels after five full innings.
Stetson started the sixth with a pair of base runners courtesy of an error and an infield single. An out away from a sixth clean inning, Zazzaro surrendered a game-tying three-run homer. The game would remain tied and would need extra innings to decide a winner. Zazzaro set the Hatters down in order in the top of the eighth, and Collins would deliver the game-winning single for Iona with one away in the bottom of the frame.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Collins went 2-3 at the plate, scoring a run and drawing a walk. The walk-off winner was the first of the senior's collegiate career.
- Zazzaro pitched all eight innings, earning the win. She struck out 13, the third time this season she has registered double-digit strikeouts.
- Offensively, Iona's other two hits came from Sheeran and Brianna Bailey. Sheeran's two-run single made it three consecutive games with two runs batted in for the sophomore. She now has a hit in six of her last seven games and has reached base in seven of her last eight.
- Weaver drew a pair of walks and scored a run. The sophomore leads the team in walks (9) and on-base percentage (.469).
UP NEXT
Iona returns to New York and will play four games at the Hofstra University Tournament on March 18-19. The Gaels play the Pride three times and wrap up play in Hempstead against Syracuse.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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