NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona University Baseball team fell just short of coming back against Rider. Senior
went six strong innings, with only a hiccup in the third inning allowing two runs. The Gaels bats were putting balls in play but finding too many gloves. Both teams lacked power with only two extra base hits on the day, but the Broncs were able to use speed and steal three bags to put runners in scoring position. Iona left ten men on base, and were in dire need of a clutch hit that never came to be.
Game Summary
The Gaels were on the board first in the bottom of the second inning after graduate student James Kemp walked and advanced to third on back-to-back ground outs. Freshman Sean Stephenson would drive him in on a single up the middle. This was Stephenson's 13 RBI of the season and gave Iona the early 1-0 lead.
This lead was short lived as Rider would score two runs in the top of the third. Following a one out single, the Broncs second baseman crushed an RBI triple to right center. He would score when the very next batter singled to second. Gialloreto would limit the damage at two and keep the Gaels close.
Kemp would knock the only Iona extra base hit in the top of the fourth inning, a double down the left field line, but would be stranded at second. The top of the fifth would see Stephenson lead off with a single and advance to second on a wild pitch, but would be thrown out at third on a fielders choice off the bat of senior Anthony Febo. The next batter, senior Matt Wessels, would advance Febo to second on a single, but the inning would end after a fielders choice and line out.
After another strong inning from Gialloreto in the top of the sixth inning, the Gaels would strand two more runners on base. Senior Carl Kuentzel would enter for Gialloreto and get a web gem double play from graduate student Jayson Gonzalez. Gonzalez made a sliding stop, stepped on second and needed a strong throw to get the runner at first. Kuentzel would end the inning on a fly out to center. After a quick eighth, the Gaels would work a two out rally to load the bases. Gonzalez reached on an error, junior Anthony Zollo singled to left field, and Stephenson worked a walk. After a pitching change, Febo ended the inning on a fly out.
Senior Joey Kasper would take the ninth inning and give the Maroon & Gold one last change after striking out two batters. In the bottom half of the ninth, the Gaels would be sat down in order. Gialloreto took the loss moving to 2-2 on the year, while Rider's Young moves to 4-0. Bronc's relief pitching Silfies earned the save, his second of the year.
TEAM STATS
- Rider lead with seven strikeouts compared to Iona's five
- Each club recorded an error
- The Maroon & Gold had eight hits, while the Broncs only had 6
- Broncs were the only team to steal and took three bags
notable nuggets
- Gialloreto went for his fourth straight start of six innings or more.
- Kemp is now on a 10 game hitting streak and has seen his average go from .291 to .374
- Gonzalez returning from injury has seen the Gaels defense improve, while he also has reached base safety in ever game he has played.
Up Next
The series continues between the Gaels and Broncs tomorrow at City Park with game time set for 1:00 p.m.
