Game Summary

Mount would take the lead early in the first. Scoring on a stolen base attempt, the runner on third would come in and score but the runner on first would get tagged out in the rundown. This would not stop the Gaels from striking back right away in the bottom half. Junior Damian Rodriguez continues to rake from the lead off spot, finding a hole up the middle for a single and stealing second and third. Kemp would single him in to tie it up at one apiece.

Payamps would follow with a strong second and third inning, striking out three hitters. The fourth inning would see the lead off hitter get hit by a pitch, but then get picked off on a great back pick by junior catcher Braize Mitchell. Payamps would walk a batter, before a single then sac bunt. Another Mount single gave them a 3-1 lead. The Maroon & Gold again would respond, Overton would reach on an error and advance on a bad throw before junior Anthony Zollo would slap a single to left field to score him. In the fifth, junior Nickolas Mora would too reach on an error before stealing a bag then scoring on a single from sophomore Jordan Overton to again tie it up at 3-3.

Payamps would work his way through the sixth and seventh before Iona would take their first lead of the game in the bottom of the seventh. Back-to-back doubles from Rodriguez and Frias, followed by Overton reaching on an error to set up Kemp. Kemp smashed the ball deep into left field to push the Gaels up to 7-3. In the eighth inning, freshman Danny Onorato gave up three straight base runners before being taken out for junior Tyler Lender who gave up a two run double to his first batter. A single and double steal would tie the game at seven, before Mount would take the lead on a single up the middle. Senior Joey Kasper would come in and end the bleeding there. 

In the bottom of the eighth, Iona would put together a two out rally when Rodriguez singled advanced to second on a wild pitch. Frias worked a seven pitch walk, before Overton worked a walk. With bases loaded, Rodriguez broke for home after the throw back to the pitcher and Mount was caught off guard as the game would be tied at eight.

Zguro would enter in the top of the ninth and strike out his first batter. He would get through the ninth only allowing a walk. In the bottom half, Iona would be unable to push in the winning run as they strand runners on the corners. Zguro would come back out in the tenth inning and give up a two out single but work his way again out of the inning. This time the Gaels would not miss out. Frias again would work a walk and Overton would get hit by a pitch again setting up Kemp. Kemp would attack first pitch and single through the hole on the left side, Frias rounded third base and there was no throw home. The bench would all sprint out and celebrate grabbing their first conference win of the year.

Zguro earned the win with his two shutout innings. Mount's Jake Andrews is tagged with the loss.

TEAM STATS

• The Gaels were out hit, 14-11.
• Iona had zero errors, while Mount had three.
• The Maroon & Gold went a perfect 5-5 on stolen base attempts, meanwhile the Mountaineers only went 3-6.
• Each club struck out nine hitters.

notable nuggets

• Kemp hit his team leading third homer of the year, he also expanded on his RBI lead with 16 total now.
• Rodriguez again had a monster day, three hits, three runs and three steals.
• Wessels had his first outfield assist of the year throwing a runner out trying to get to third.
• Mitchell caught three runners attempting to steal/back picked.
• Zguro dominated in his two innings on the mound, attacking the zone and forcing Mount to remain off balance at the plate.

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