LITTLE FALLS, NJ — The Iona University baseball team got swept in their double header against NJIT at Yogi Berra Stadium Saturday afternoon. The Gaels could not keep up with NJIT in game one losing 16-3. In game two, the Gaels comeback attempt ran out of fuel towards the end of the game.
Junior
Nickolas Mora led the Gaels with a three hit game in game one, but the Gaels would find not much success otherwise. Junior
Damian Rodriguez led with two RBI's in game one, while Mora and senior
Anthony Febo added the RBI's in game two. Sophomore
Brendan Callanan had his longest outing of the year for the Gaels going six innings and giving up three runs. Junior
Sean Davis finished out with two scoreless innings in game two.
Game One
Iona fell behind early in game one, with NJIT hitting a lead off home run top kick-start their strong hitting day. Senior Andrelys Payamps would bounce back and keep NJIT off the board during the rest of his three inning outing.
In the innings to follow, the Gaels could not contain the bats. NJIT would find two runs in the bottom of the fourth before adding three more in the bottom of the fifth to have a 6-0 lead. The Maroon & Gold would respond with Rodriguez doubling in senior Matt Wessels and Mora in the top of the seventh inning.
The Highlanders would respond with four runs in the bottom half of seventh expanding their lead to 10-2. Mora would single in the last Gael run of game one.
The bottom of the eighth inning saw six more runs for NJIT score off of a double, two singles, and a handful of walks. Payamps would take the loss for the Gaels while Brandon Peterson was awarded the win after his strong outing of seven innings for the Highlanders.
Game Two
After a short break, the Gaels kicked off game two. The Gaels again would fall behind early as NJIT doubled in a run in the first inning. NJIT would expand on their led in the third inning on a sacrifice fly and ground out.
Iona would get on the board in the fifth as Mora grounds into a fielder's choice scoring sophomore Jordan Overton who doubled to lead off the inning. Callanan would finish his outing strong with three scoreless frames before handing the ball over to Davis.
The Gaels would pull within one run in the top of the eighth inning courtesy of back to back hit by pitches, a single then a walk from Febo. Iona would strand the bases loaded with a prime chance to strike, but Davis kept them in the game with 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth.
Junior Carson Cahoy would lead of the ninth with a single, but the Maroon & Gold, would be unable to drive him in and fall 3-2. Callanan was shown the loss and NJIT's MT Morrissey was given the win.
TEAM STATS
- The Gaels just lost the strikeout battle on the day, 21-20.
- On the day, the Highlanders stole three bases and the Gaels stole none.
notable nuggets
- Zollo had his third multi hit game of the season.
- Davis had another scoreless outing, adding to his strong season.
- Six Gael hitters produced multi-hit games, with Cahoy producing two on the day.
Up Next
The Gaels are back in action on Wednesday March 5 as they travel to Teaneck, NJ to take on FDU for their midweek game. First pitch is at 2:30 PM and can be streamed on NEC Front Row.
