New Rochelle, NY - The Iona College baseball program picked up its second win of the season after defeating Quinnipiac 4-1, on Friday afternoon.
Blake Helmstetter tossed a complete game and
Matt Wessels' go-ahead home-run in the 8th inning proved to be the difference in the Gaels home victory at City Park.
GAME SUMMARY
After surrendering a leadoff homer, Helmstetter settled in, getting the next batter to strikeout and later in the inning with runners on the corners, got an inning ending groundout to escape trouble. In the second inning Helmstetter faced the minimum, picking up a strikeout and an inning ending double-play to keep the deficit at 1-0.
In the home half of the second,
Luca Lotito singled through the middle and the next batter,
Jim Kemp, reached base on a walk, setting up an RBI opportunity for
Phoenix Bowman. On a 2-2 pitch, Bowman delivered with an RBI single, bringing in Lotito from second to tie the game at 1-1. The rally ended there as the Bobcats turned an inning ending 6-4-3 double play to keep the score tied through two innings of play.
The next five innings turned into a pitcher's duel with Helmstetter doing his part to keep the score tied. The sophomore picked up two more strikeouts in the 3rd inning and another in the fourth as he'd finish with 6 K's on the day. The defense behind Helmstetter continued to do its part as well, with catcher
Brad Polinsky throwing out Kyle Maves trying to steal second, ending the top half of the fifth inning. Quinnpiac managed to only have one base-runner in scoring position all game with Helmsetter in complete command.
Entering the bottom half of the 8th with the game still tied, Wessels stepped up to lead off the inning and crushed the go-ahead homer to left field to give Iona its first lead of the game. Looking to add some insurance,
Nick Forney lined an RBI triple that rolled all the way to the wall scoring
Nick Carnevale from first, giving the Maroon & Gold a 3-1 lead. Forney came around to score later in the inning, after Polinsky reached base on a throwing error capping off a three-run 8th inning from the Gaels
Helmstetter sealed the 4-1 victory for the Gaels in the ninth, retiring Quinnipiac in order as he finished the afternoon in dominant fashion, retiring the final 13 batters.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Helmstetter threw the first complete game of his career and the last Gael to do so since the 2017 season. Also marks the second career win for the lefty, with his first coming on the road against Siena last season.
- Not only was it Wessels first-career home-run, but the first career-hit from the freshman. Wessels becomes the seventh Iona player to leave the yard this season and is now tied for third most on the club.
- Bowman's RBI single was the fifth of the season for the sophomore who continues to be a sure glove at 2B as well.
- Forney's RBI triple gives him 11 runs batted in on the season and also brings him to three triples, which ties him for second best in the MAAC behind teammate Jake Field who leads with four.
- Lotito's two hits on the day marks the eighth time this season he's had two hits or more in a game.
UP NEXT
The two teams will square off again, with game two of the series tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 PM, with senior
Drew Helmstetter getting the start for Iona.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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