JERSEY CITY, NJ — The Iona University softball team offense erupted for 14 hits and four home runs in a 12-0 rout over Saint Peter's in five innings at Jaroschak Field on Friday afternoon. The Gaels have now posted back-to-back shut out victories in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play.
 
Senior Jamie Sheeran entered the game tied for the program's all-time home run record with Kristen Turner. She hit two home runs against the Peacocks to take sole possession of the career home run record with 46 homers. She finished the afternoon with four hits and four runs scored along with three runs batted in.
 
Sophomore Hailey Guerrero connected on a three-run home run and senior Kaylin Flukey tallied three hits including a solo home run. Junior Samantha Rieb recorded the one-hit shutout win.

GAME SUMMARY

The Gaels applied pressure from the opening pitch as senior Emma Capuano opened the game with a walk and stolen base. Sheeran followed with a one-out single to put runners at first and third. Sophomore Brooke Acker then lined an RBI single to left field for the first run. Guerrero was next to bat and launched a three-run bomb over the left field fence for the 4-0 lead.
 
Sheeran broke the record in the top of the second with a one-out solo shot over the left field wall.
 
The Gaels tacked on two more runs in the third as Flukey hit a one-out home run to left field. Capuano then connected on a two-out single and proceeded to steal second and third before coming around to score on an error by the Peacocks.
 
Sheeran led off the fourth inning with a double to left field and then advanced to third on a fly out to right field. After a short fly out to right field, freshman MJ Nicholson stepped to the plate and hit lined a hard hit to shortstop to score Sheeran.
 
Iona's offense continued in the fifth inning with a lead off single from Flukey. A sacrifice bunt advanced pinch runner, freshman Leah Palmer to second base. A single to right by Capuano then put runners at the corners. Capuano stole her second four her fourth steal of the contest. Senior Kayla Haywood joined the party with a two-run double down the third base line. Sheeran capped the scoring for the game with a two-run shot to center field.
 
Rieb held the Peacocks hitless through the first four innings of play, conceding just one base runner on a first inning walk. Saint Peter's broke up the no-hitter with a leadoff single in the bottom of the fifth. A double play followed before a foul out to left field ended the game.

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• Iona clinched a berth in next week's MAAC Tournament to be held Marist, the regular season champions.
• Sheeran moved into sole possession of the program's all-time home run mark with 46 career home runs after third career two-home run game. He tied her season-high of four hits for her 15^th multi-hit game and her three runs batted was the 11^th time she drove in multiple runs this season.
• Guerrero launched her fifth home run of the season and tallied her third three-RBI performance for the year.
• Flukey recorded her second home run this season and third three-hit game of the season.
• Capuano's registered her sixth multi-hit game and Haywood tallied her fifth multi-RBI performance.
• Rieb picked up her third shutout of the season and improved to 11-5 against MAAC opponents.

UP NEXT

The Gaels end the regular season with a doubleheader against the Peacocks tomorrow beginning at noon. Iona is fighting for seeding in next week's MAAC Championship tournament.