FAIRFIELD, Conn. — The Iona University softball team earned the series win to begin Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play with a 3-0 shutout victory over Fairfield in the series finale on Sunday.
Junior
Samantha Rieb spun a complete game shutout in the circle for the Maroon & Gold, surrendering just four hits while striking out five batters. Senior
Kaylin Flukey led the Iona offense with a 3-for-4 afternoon at the plate and drove in all three runs.
GAME SUMMARY
Senior
Emma Capuano led off the contest with a single up the middle. She then stole second base before sophomore
Brooke Acker earned a one-out walk. Senior
Jamie Sheeran loaded the bases with a single to center. Fairfield got a strikeout for the second out of the inning. Flukey stepped to the plate and lined a two-run single up the middle for the early lead.
Fairfield threatened with runners on second and third in the second inning, but Rieb shut the door with a strikeout looking to end the frame.
The Gaels offense jumped early in the third as Acker singled through the right side. Sheeran then lined a double to right field to put two runners in scoring position. After a Fairfield pitching change, sophomore
Hailey Guerrero walked to load the bases. Flukey delivered once again with an RBI single to center field for the 3-0 lead.
Rieb continued to deal for the Gaels, surrendering just three hits over the final four innings of play to seal the 3-0 shutout victory.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Rieb posted her second straight complete game effort in the circle. The shutout performance was the second shutout of her career. She also fanned five batters in back-to-back outings.
- The Gaels offense posted 10 hits in the win on Sunday.
- Flukey led the way with her second three-hit game of the season. She drove in all three runs for the Gaels.
- Capuano recorded two hits out of the leadoff spot.
- Sheeran registered her sixth multi-hit game of the season with two hits against the Stags in the finale.
UP NEXT
After 20 games on the road to start the season, Iona will make its home debut at Donald E. Walsh Field at Rice Oval with four games this week. The Gaels home opener will be on Tuesday, March 26 with a 3 p.m. contest against St. John's.
