BOILING SPRINGS, NC — The Iona University softball team dropped a pair of games to Robert Morris and tournament host, Gardner-Webb on Friday afternoon at Brinkley Softball Stadium.

GAME ONE: ROBERT MORRIS 9, IONA 5

Iona was the designated home team for the opening game of the Red & Black Classic. Senior Samantha Rieb fanned three batters in the top of the first for the Gaels.
 
Guerrero led off the bottom of the first with a single to short and then swiped second. Junior Hannah Werth then drew a walk while Guerrero advanced to third on another steal. A first and third steal attempt saw an errant throw bring home Guerrero for the first run of the game for Iona.
 
The Colonials answered in the top half of the third inning with four runs on three hits and an Iona fielding error to jump ahead 4-1. Iona scrapped one run back in the bottom of the frame after sophomore Madison Campeau led off the inning with a walk. Another infield single for Guerrero followed before Werth loaded the bases with her second walk of the day. Junior Brooke Acker lifted the fly ball into left field for the sacrifice fly RBI to bring the score to 4-2. Iona looked to tack on a few more runs but RMU ended the frame with back-to-back pop outs.
 
RMU extended its lead with a big fifth inning, scoring five runs on five hits and another error by the Gaels. Iona clawed one run back in the bottom of the fifth as senior Brianna Bailey lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to score Werth.
 
The Gaels added another run in the sixth inning as Campeau recorded an RBI ground out to score rookie Sara Piña. Iona capped the scoring in the bottom of the seventh as Bailey picked up another RBI on a groundout to second base.
 
Rieb tied her career-high with seven strikeouts in four and two thirds' innings pitched. First-year Nadia Andarowski made her Iona debut in relief, yielding just two hits while striking out four batters in the final two and a third innings.

GAME TWO: GARDNER-WEBB 7, IONA 1

Iona got started with a leadoff walk by Werth to open game two. After two quick outs, senior Kenadie Gonzalez roped a double to the gap in left center for the 1-0 lead. The Gaels looked to double up in the second frame with runners on second and third with two outs, but Gardner-Webb escaped by securing an inning ending groundout.
 
The Bulldogs carried momentum over into the bottom half of the frame, scoring three runs on three hits to take the lead. Iona's momentum on offense stalled from there, stranding one runner on base in each of the next four innings.
 
Gardner-Webb pulled away in the sixth inning with four runs on two hits and Iona error to bring the final score to 7-1.
 
The Gaels scattered five hits in the second game of the day. Rookie Marylou Piazza picked up her first multi-hit game against the Bulldogs. Sophomore Allison Hoppe pitched the first four and a third for Iona, surrendering three runs on five hits.
 
UP NEXT
Iona continues the Red & Black Classic tomorrow with games against Robert Morris and Sacred Heart. The games are slated for 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. but rain is expected in tomorrow's forecast. Stay up to date by following @IonaSoftball on X for the latest game information.