BUIES CREEK, NC - The Iona College softball team fell to Campbell and defeated Akron on day two of the Campbell University Invitational. The Gaels lost to the Camels in walk-off fashion in game one, but rebounded with a 7-2 thrashing of the Zips in the nightcap. 2022 MAAC Preseason Player of the Year
Jessica Chilcott drove in five of Iona's seven runs in the victory over Akron.
GAME ONE: CAMPBELL 3, IONA 2
Iona's first contest on Saturday was a rematch of Friday night against the tournament host. Brianna Bailey led things off in the top of the first with a double to put the pressure on the Camels early. Campbell's Kayla Howald locked in though, stranding immediate danger in Bailey on third base to keep Iona out of the scoring column in the first. Kara Zazzaro, making her fourth start of the season, walked two batters in the bottom half of the first, but worked through the frame to make it a clean first frame.
Iona's defense picked itself up on two occasions early on. After an error on the infield to begin the second inning, Jamie Sheeran caught a line drive at first base and doubled off the the runner to quickly erase the mistake. A leadoff walk, an infield single and another error to start the third put Zazzaro and the Gaels in a precarious spot. A grounder to short forced out the lead runner at the plate, then another line drive on the infield was snared and resulted in another unassisted double play to get the Maroon & Gold out of bases-loaded, no-out jam without allowing a run.
Campbell would eventually get to Zazzaro in the fifth inning, doing all of its work with two away and no one on base. An infield single followed by a double brought home the game's first run, but Zazzaro punched out the next batter to limit the damage. Iona's offense picked up Zazzaro in the next half inning thanks to some clutch hitting by Kayla Haywood. Chilcott and Natalia Meray began the inning with back-to-back base hits, moving up to second and third on a fielder's choice. Howald got Emma Capuano to pop up on the infield for the second out, but Haywood singled into right center to bring home the game-tying and go-ahead run.
After retiring the side in order in the sixth, Zazzaro needed just three more outs to avenge yesterday's loss to the Camels. The inning began with a single through the box, but the runner was promptly cut down trying to steal second base for the first out. A free pass and then a hit batter put the tying and go-ahead runs on the pond for Campbell's Tyra Parker, who tripled to walk off Zazzaro and the Gaels.
GAME TWO: IONA 7, AKRON 2
It was a wonderful start to game number two for Iona, who put up a two-spot in the first inning before handing the ball to starter Alyssa DeJianne. Bailey led things off with a single, stole second and trotted home after Chilcott homered to left on a 2-2 pitch. Akron answered the bell in its half of the first, tagging DeJianne for two runs on two hits. The Zips benefited from a fielding error as well, evening the game at 2-2.
Hannah Collins and Haley Weaver drew walks to open up the second inning. A fielder's choice forced out Collins at third, but a double steal moved Weaver and Bailey up to second and third with one out. Chilcott pushed home another run for the Maroon & Gold with a groundout, giving Iona a 3-2 advantage after two innings.
DeJianne settled in after a rocky first frame, stranding runners in her second and third innings of work. The Gael offense provided DeJianne with some more run support in the fourth inning. Collins and Weaver drew another pair of base on balls to begin the frame. Nardello pinch ran for Collins, and her and Weaver moved up 60 feet on a wild pitch. Chilcott singled to the opposite field to drive in her fourth and fifth runs of the game, padding Iona's lead to 5-2.
Iona added another run in the fifth courtesy of a Capuano ground out and one more in the seventh after an error on a ball put in play by Capuano. Samantha Rieb entered in relief of DeJianne and pitched three perfect innings to earn the save and close the door on the Gaels' 7-2 victory.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Chilcott was responsible for five of Iona's seven runs in the win over Akron, slugging her first homerun of the season.
- DeJianne earned her first victory of the season, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits across four innings.
- Rieb notched the first save of her collegiate career, pitching the final three innings of game two. She needed just 18 pitches to set down the nine batters she faced.
- Zazzaro tossed her fourth complete game in as many starts, striking out eight across 6.1 innings of work.Â
- Sheeran and Capuano both picked up a pair of hits against Akron. Sheeran finished the day 3-7 at the dish between the two games with two runs scored.
- Weaver drew four walks on the day, three of which came against Akron where she did not register an at-bat. She leads the team with five walks and a .429 on-base percentage this season.
- Bailey, Collins, Meray and Sheeran have all reached base in three consecutive games. Bailey and Meray are enjoying three-game hit streaks.
UP NEXT
Iona wraps up play at the Campbell University Invitational on Sunday morning against Cleveland State. First pitch is set for 10:30 a.m. between the Gaels and the Vikings. There will not be a live stream, though fans can follow along via live stats.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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