Game Summary

The Gaels were able to get two runners on in the first inning with redshirt freshman Sean Stephenson continuing his six game hit streak with a single and sophomore Jc Frias with a walk, but ended with no runs to show. On the mound, junior Jackson Kossow made quick work of the bottom half of the first, retiring the Rams in order to set the tone for the Gaels.

Redshirt sophomore Jordan Overton, the DH for the day, singled before advancing to third with senior Matt Wessels driving a ball deep into left field for a double. Both runners would score when junior Nickolas Mora drilled a ball down the line for a double. Lead off hitter junior Damian Rodriguez would secure the Gaels their third straight double, but would not score Mora after a strong throw in from the Fordham right fielder. Stephenson would score Mora on a ground out to first. After a walk and a pitching change, Frias would drive in another run off an error. A few batters later, Febo would drive in the last two runs of the inning on a single past the diving shortstop. On the other side, Kossow maintained his efficiency, delivering another swift inning to protect Iona's comfortable lead heading into the third.

The Rams responded in the bottom of the third, taking advantage of defensive lapses and timely hitting to put four runs on the board. The sudden shift in momentum led to an early exit for Kossow, as junior Nick Chiaia entered in relief. Iona managed to tack on another run in the top of the fourth to push their lead to 7-4, but Fordham continued their offensive surge. Sophomore Saul Mata took the mound in the bottom half and allowed two more runs, though he limited further damage by stranding a pair of base runners.

Senior Ronald Rockey took over the pitching duties in the fifth, but Fordham's offense remained relentless. A combination of well-placed hits and a costly Iona error allowed the Rams to storm ahead, taking a 10-7 lead. With the Gaels in trouble, junior Tyler Lender was called upon to limit the damage, and he successfully navigated out of the jam to keep the deficit within reach.

Frias answered back in a big way in the top of the sixth, launching a two-run home run to left field, driving in graduate student James Kemp to cut the lead to 10-9. However, Fordham quickly countered, delivering an eight-run bottom half to stretch their lead to 18-9 heading into the final innings.

The Gaels managed to scrape across one final run in the seventh inning, courtesy of a Kemp sacrifice fly, but the deficit proved insurmountable. The game's final innings remained scoreless on both sides, as Fordham held firm to secure the victory.

For Iona, Rockey was credited with the loss, while Fordham's Jack Clark earned the win. Despite the outcome, the Gaels' offense showed flashes of brilliance, with key contributions from Frias, Overton, and Mora. Iona will look to bounce back in their next contest.

TEAM STATS

• Fordham led the game with seven strikeouts compared to Iona's four.
• The Rams stole four bases without getting caught.
• Fordham out hit the Gaels, 16-12
• The Maroon & Gold had one error compared to Fordham's two.

notable nuggets

• Kemp and Frias both drew three walks on the day.
• Overton led the Gaels with three hits.
• Febo secured 3 RBIs
• Three Gael hitters produced multi-hit games.

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