FAIRFIELD, CT - The Iona College softball team swept Sacred Heart in a mid-week, non-conference doubleheader at Pioneer Park on Wednesday afternoon. The Gaels exploded for a season-high 15 runs and 17 hits in game one, then squeaked out a win in the nightcap thanks to solid pitching efforts by
Maddy Lowry and
Samantha Rieb.
GAME ONE: IONA 15, SACRED HEART 8
The Gaels got after it in the first inning, putting up an early four spot. Jamie Sheeran started the party with a two-run shot, bringing around Allie Taylor who reached on an error to lead off the game. Kayla Haywood followed with a double and came around to score on an Emma Capuano two-bagger to make it 3-0 with just one out in the opening frame. Capuano moved up a base on a passed ball, then crossed the plate with Iona's fourth run on another ball that got away.
Alyssa DeJianne worked a scoreless bottom of the first after being handed a four-run cushion in the top half. The Gaels added another run on a Jessica Chilcott run-scoring single in the second, plating Taylor with her second run of the afternoon. DeJianne worked around a one-out single in the bottom of the second to work a second scoreless inning to begin her afternoon.
The Maroon & Gold went up by double-figures after a five-run frame. Kaylin Flukey led off the top of the third with her third home run of the season. Sheeran and Chilcott plated one runner each with singles and Haywood brought home a pair with an opposite field double.
DeJianne, working with a ten-run cushion, ran into trouble in the bottom of the third. She faced nine batters in the frame, recording just one out and allowing six runs before giving way to Rieb. Working in relief, Rieb allowed one of her two inherited runners to score, but escaped the inning with her side in front, 10-7, after three full innings at Pioneer Park.
The Gaels continued to pour it on, scoring five runs for the second consecutive inning. Sheeran notched another RBI single and Haywood plated two more runs with a single of her own. Sheeran then came around to score on a passed ball and Haywood crossed home on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Chilcott.
After 22 combined runs in three and a half innings, both offenses cooled off for the remainder of the contest. Rieb worked the final 4.2 innings, allowing just one run and earning the victory in relief. The Maroon & Gold cruised to a 15-8 win in game one, setting season-best marks in runs and hits.
GAME TWO: IONA 4, SACRED HEART 3
Sacred Heart started the scoring in the second game, tagging Lowry for a run in the bottom of the first. The first two runners reached against the freshman, but a line-drive double play left just the runner on third base. A two-out single opened the scoring, but Lowry limited Sacred Heart to just the one run in the first frame.
Iona responded with four runs in the top of the second. Chilcott, Capuano and Flukey all reached base to begin the frame and Morgan Ritchey brought home a pair of runners with a single to give Iona a 2-1 lead. Natalia Meray singled to load the bases again and Brianna Bailey was hit by a pitch to bring home the third run of the inning. Taylor followed with an infield single to bring home another run with still nobody retired in the frame. The Pioneers went to the pen and it paid off. Funes retired three straight batters in relief and stranded the bases loaded, stopping the bleeding for Sacred Heart.
Sacred Heart scored twice in the bottom of the third, pulling within one run of Iona. Lowry finished the frame but head coach Alyssa Tiumalu called on Rieb out of the pen to begin the fourth inning. Working in relief for the second time of the afternoon, Rieb was flawless. She tossed four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit to help Iona sweep Sacred Heart. Her toughest test of the day came in the bottom of the seventh, but Rieb stranded the tying and game-winning runs on base with a swinging strikeout.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Iona's 15 runs and 17 hits were both season highs. It marked the first time this season that the Gaels scored 10 or more runs.
- Haywood and Sheeran both tallied three hits, three runs scored and four RBI in the game one victory.
- The Gaels scored all 15 of their runs in the first four innings of game one. The Pioneers scored seven of their eight runs in the third inning.
- Rieb worked 8.2 innings, all in relief, picking up two wins to improve her record in the circle to 3-3. She struck out a career-best five batters in the second game.
- Five different Gaels registered multi-hit games, including three hits from Capuano, Haywood and Sheeran. Four different Gaels drove in multiple runs across the two games: Ritchey (2), Chilcott (3), Haywood (4) and Sheeran (4).
- Taylor scored four times in game one, the most in a single game by a Gael this season. Haywood and Sheeran each crossed the plate three times in the first game.
- Iona has now won four straight over Sacred Heart dating back to 2019. The Gaels have won five of the last six contests and earned their first win at Pioneer Park since 2017.
UP NEXT
Iona heads to Marist (April 9) and Siena (April 10) to resume Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play. The Gaels play doubleheaders against both teams, set for noon start times on Saturday and Sunday.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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