LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — The Iona University baseball team began its weekend series at Rider with a doubleheader after yesterday's rain out, the Broncs swept the two games over the Gaels by a score of 13-2 in both contests at Sonny Pittaro Field.
Sophomore
Nickolas Mora led the Maroon & Gold with two hits in game one including his first career home run, a two-run shot in the fourth inning. Freshman
Carter Groen paced the Gaels in game two, finishing a single shy of the cycle with a double, home run and triple with two runs scored.
GAME ONE: RIDER 13, IONA 2
Rider started game one strong with eight runs in the first three innings of play while the Gaels were held to just one hit.
Graduate student
Garret Gray started the Iona offense in the fourth inning with a two-out single to center field before advancing to second on a wild pitch. Mora followed by launching the 2-2 pitch over the left field wall for the home run to get the Gaels on the scoreboard.
The Broncs punched back with three runs on four hits in the bottom of the inning for the commanding lead. Rider capped the scoring for the game with two runs in the bottom of the seventh to bring the final score to 13-2.
Iona was outhit, 14-7 by Rider in the first game of the twin bill. Mora led the way with his fifth multi-hit of the season.
GAME TWO: RIDER 13, IONA 2
The Gaels got game two rolling in the top of the fourth as Groen led off the frame with a double to center field. Redshirt freshman
Jordan Overton followed with an infield single to shortstop. A sacrifice bunt by junior
Anthony Febo advanced both runners into scoring position. Mora drove in the opening run on a sacrifice fly to centerfield for the 1-0 Iona lead.
Junior
Andrelys Payamps held the Broncs to just one hit over the first five innings while striking out six batters.
Groen led off the top of the sixth inning with a home run, launching the 2-1 pitch over the wall in left center for the 2-0 lead.
The high-powered Broncs offense broke out in the bottom of the sixth, capitalizing on an Iona error and six hits including a grand slam to take an 8-2 lead.
Rider continued to attack in the bottom of the seventh inning with five more runs on four hits to cap the scoring for the day.
Iona was held to two hits in the final two innings of play, a one-out triple from Groen in the eighth inning and a one-out single from freshman
Jc Frias in the ninth as the Broncs secured the sweep.
Game two saw the home team hold a 13-7 advantage on hits. Groen's home run was his fourth of the year and he posted three hits in a game for the fourth time this season.
UP NEXT
The Gaels cap the weekend series with the Broncs tomorrow, the new start time will be 1 p.m. due to morning rain sweeping through the area.
