FARMINGDALE, NY — The Iona University baseball team fought hard but ultimately fell in a 8-7 extra-inning game against Hofstra on Saturday afternoon. Despite a resilient offensive effort that saw the Gaels erase multiple deficits, Hofstra secured the walk-off victory in the 10th inning on a wild pitch. Redshirt freshman
continued his hot start to the year adding three more hits to his season totals. A big sixth inning for the Gaels sent Hofstra to the bullpen, where they were able to put a stop the Gaels the rest of the way.
went three innings only giving up one hit and an unearned run in his second showing this season as the Gaels bullpen looks to be a strong point for them early on in the year.
Game SUMMARY
The game started with Hofstra taking an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, but Iona wasted no time responding. In the top of the second, junior Anthony Zollo delivered a clutch single that allowed junior Jc Frias to come around and score after a defensive mistake, tying the game at 1-1.
However, the Pride capitalized on their opportunities in the fourth inning, plating four runs to take a commanding 5-1 lead. Sophomore starting pitcher Brendan Callanan battled through the frame before being relieved by Davis to limit further damage.
In the top of the fifth, Stephenson provided a spark, driving in a run to make it 5-2. Then, in the sixth inning, the Gaels' offense erupted. Following a lead off single, Frias homered to dead center. The momentum continued as seniors Carson Cahoy and Matt Wessels followed with back-to-back triples, adding another run to the scoreboard. Wessels then scored on a sacrifice fly, giving Iona a 6-5 lead.
Hofstra, however, responded quickly, tying the game at 6-6 in the bottom half of the sixth inning on an RBI double.
Redshirt junior Tyler Lender took over on the mound in the eighth inning, working around a lead off walk and stranding the potential go-ahead run in scoring position.
In the ninth, junior Braize Mitchell came through in the clutch, singling to drive in the go-ahead run and put the Gaels up 7-6. But Hofstra took advantage of a wild pitch in the bottom of the frame to even the score once again and send the game into extra innings.
In the bottom of the 10th, senior Matt Zguro took the mound for Iona but ran into trouble as Hofstra capitalized on another wild pitch to bring home the winning run. The Gaels fought but ultimately came up just short, with Zguro taking the loss while Hofstra's Trent Jenks was credited with the win.
With this loss, Iona moves to 1-2 on the season and will look to bounce back in tomorrow's doubleheader.
TEAM STATS
- The Gaels out hit the Eagles 12-8, and led on extra base hits, 5-3.
- Iona led strikeouts 8-7.
- The Maroon & Gold did not attempt any steals, while the Pride were successful on their three attempts.
- Errors were three for the Gaels and two for Hofstra.
notable nuggets
- Three Gaels had multi-hit games.
- Jc Frias hit the first home run of the Gaels season.
- Gaels bullpen went five plus innings only giving up one earned run.
Up Next
The Gaels stay in Long Island against Hofstra with a double header, 7 inning games, starting at 11 a.m. Both games will be played at Farmingdale State Stadium.
