BUFFALO, NY - The Iona University softball team defeated No. 2 Mount St. Mary's, 1-0, on Thursday at Demske Sports Complex in the elimination bracket of the 2023 MAAC Championship.
Emma Capuano's solo home run and
Kara Zazzaro's complete-game, two-hit shutout powered the Gaels to a win over the Mountaineers.
GAME SUMMARY
Zazzaro put together another postseason masterpiece in the circle for Iona, getting the better of Olivia Murphy in a pitcher's duel. Murphy set down the side in order in the top of the first before Zazzaro worked around a leadoff walk in the home half to throw a scoreless frame.
Brianna Bailey hit a two-out double in the second, the first hit for either side, but was stranded in scoring position. Zazzaro struck out a pair in a scoreless second inning before Capuano led off the third with a solo shot to open the scoring, The homer was Capuano's second of the season and Iona's first of the postseason run.
The one run would ultimately be all Iona needed to take down the No. 2 seeded Mountaineers. Zazzaro allowed just two hits, working out of a couple of jams to keep the Mount off the scoreboard. A pair of walks and a wild pitch in the third inning put two runners in scoring position with one out, but Zazzaro struck out the next two batters to escape. Zazzaro allowed her first hit in the fourth and after a pair of stolen bases, struck out another batter to leave the potential tying run on third.
The Mount went down 1-2-3 in both the fifth and sixth innings, but threatened in the seventh. A leadoff double put the Mountaineers in a prime position to even the contest in the final frame. Zazzaro locked in, striking out the next three batters to eliminate the Mount and keep the Maroon & Gold alive, putting the finishing touches on a two-hit, 14-strikeout performance in Iona's biggest game of the season.
UP NEXT
Iona continues on in the elimination bracket and will face No. 4 Fairfield at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow (May 12). The winner of that game will play in the following game at 4:00 p.m. against the loser of the No. 1 Canisius and No. 3 Marist matchup.
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