NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona University baseball team broke a tie ball game in the bottom of the seventh inning to earn a 5-2 win over Siena on Friday afternoon at City Park. Sophomore Josiah Ragsdale sparked the three run inning for the Gaels with the go-ahead RBI double to left field.
 
Ragsdale posted his 24^th multi-hit game of the season finishing the day with three hits and two runs batted in. Graduate student Jim Pasquale launched a home run in the fourth inning and finished the day with three hits. Freshman Carter Groen also tallied three base knocks.
 
Strong pitching helped carry the Gaels as junior Andrelys Payamps hurled 129 pitched in a seven-inning effort, scattering six hits, and striking out six batters. Sophomore Andrew Gaines pitched the final two innings, striking out four batters for his first career save.

GAME SUMMARY

Both starting pitchers were efficient early, giving up just three combined hits through the first three innings.
 
Siena broke open the scoring in the top of the third inning as an errant throw with two outs by the Gaels allowed a run to score for the early lead.
 
Iona looked to level things in the bottom of the frame with runners on first and third with one out, but the visitors picked up an inning ending double play on a fly out to right before the runner at third crossed the plate.
 
The Saints got fortunate in the fourth inning after a leadoff single and two wild pitches moved the runner to third before a sacrifice fly brought in the team's second run.
 
Pasquale got the Gaels on the scoreboard in the fourth inning as he launched the 2-0 offering to left center.
 
Sophomore Nickolas Mora opened the bottom of the fifth inning with a double to left center. After a strikeout, he advanced to third base on a deep fly to right field. Ragsdale then went first pitch swinging and lined an RBI single to right field to tie the game up at 2-2.
 
Payamps cruised in the sixth as the Gaels turned a five-four-three double play and junior Anthony Febo gunned down a runner at second to end the frame. Well over 100 pitches for his final start of the year, Payamps came back out for the seventh inning and delivered a one-two-three frame with an inning ending strikeout looking.
 
Momentum shifted for the Gaels from there as junior Jayson Gonzalez singled to second base to lead off the bottom of the seventh. Ragsdale then delivered a sharp double to the left field wall to score Gonzalez from first and give Iona the lead. Groen followed with an infield single to put runners on first and third. Senior James Kemp brought in the second run on an RBI fielder's choice. The inning continued with Pasquale's third hit of the game. Kemp then advanced to third on a wild pitch before Siena got the second out. Another errant pitch allowed Kemp to score to push the lead to 5-2.

Gaines took the bump in the top of the eighth, retiring the side in order with back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning.
 
Siena threatened with the tying run at the plate with two outs in the ninth inning, but Gaines was able to settle down and induce a flyout to centerfield to seal the 5-2 victory. 

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• Ragsdale recorded his fourth three-hit performance of the year and pushed his season total to 71 hits. He drove in multiple runs for the 10^th time this season.
• Pasquale launched his sixth home run of the season with his solo shot in the fourth inning. The three hit afternoon was his 13^th multi-hit showing on the year and his third three-hit game.
• Groen produced his 14^th multi-hit game on the year and his team leading fifth three-hit game of the season.
• Payamps capped his first season with the Maroon & Gold with seven strong innings, scattering six hits and four walks with one earned run and six strikeouts on 129 pitches thrown.
• Gaines fanned four batters in two innings, while surrendering just one hit and one walk for his first career save. 

UP NEXT

The Gaels cap the 2024 campaign with the series finale against the Saints tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is at 1:00 p.m. at City Park and Iona will honor its senior class at 12:35 p.m. as a part for Senior Day.