NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona University Baseball team dropped the series finale against Rider by the score of 11-3. A big second inning gave Rider a massive early lead and erased the strong first inning from Iona. The Gaels were unable to get much going on offense with only one extra base hit. The bullpen was a big factor in this game needing to go seven and two-thirds inning allowing five total runs.
Game Summary
The Gaels got on the board first after a strong inning from sophomore starter Brendan Callanan. Junior Damian Rodriguez led off with a single before advancing to second on a failed pick off. He would get driven in by sophomore Jordan Overton on a single. Two more singles from graduate students James Kemp and Jayson Gonzalez added one more for the Gaels to go up 2-0.
The second inning saw Iona struggle defensively, including allowing a bunt double. Callanan would get pulled for senior Joey Kasper who would go for two and two thirds inning allowing one unearned run. The Maroon & Gold would snag back one run in the bottom of the third off of a double from freshman Sean Stephenson driving in junior Anthony Zollo.
The bullpen saw senior Carl Kuentzel, junior Nick Chiaia and freshman Danny Onorato complete the remaining four innings and allow four runs. Kuentzel tallied six strikeouts in his three and two-thirds innings, but ran into trouble in the eighth which lead to the calling of Chiaia.
Callanan took the loss, his third of the season while Rider's Poliey took home the win.
TEAM STATS
- Iona was out hit by Rider 14-9
- The Gaels narrowly won the strikeout battle, 7-6
- The Maroon & Gold stole the only base of the game
- Each club commit four errors
notable nuggets
- Kasper's quest for 100 strikeouts continues as he is now up to 96.
- Kuentzel joins Kasper in his chase for 100 strikeouts as he had six on the day.
- Overton and Kemp returned to form adding multi hit games to their season success.
Up Next
Iona is back in action on Tuesday back at City Park for a duel with FDU. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m.
