NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona University softball team made its season debut at Donald E. Walsh Field at Rice Oval on Wednesday afternoon, dropping a 10-2 decision to local foe Fordham. The Rams out hit the Gaels 12-4 in the non-conference tilt.
The Maroon & Gold offense finally broke through in the fifth inning as junior
Alivia Lichtner recorded an RBI sacrifice fly and classmate
Hannah Werth registered an RBI infield single.
GAME SUMMARY
The Rams broke open the scoring in the top of the second, capitalizing on an errant Iona throw with two outs to take the early 1-0 lead. Fordham tacked on another run in the third on a sacrifice fly.
Iona was held without a base runner till one out in the bottom of the third as first-year
Marylou Piazza reached on a hit by pitch. She then advanced to second on a stolen base before sliding into scoring position on a single and rundown attempt by Lichtner. The Gaels were unable to capitalize as Fordham escaped trouble with an inning ending ground out.
Fordham then worked the bases loaded with one out in the fourth inning. An RBI ground out and a three-run home run followed for the seven-run advantage for the visitors.
First-year Sara Piña led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a single to centerfield. A four-pitch walk followed to senior
Kenadie Gonzalez. A fielding error then loaded up the bases before Fordham secured the first out on a strikeout. Lichtner lifted the 1-0 offering down the right field line to score the first Iona run. An RBI infield single from Werth followed to bring the score to 7-2.
The Rams capped the scoring in the sixth inning as Erin Hoppe recorded a two-out two-run double off her sister, sophomore
Allison Hoppe who came on to pitch for the Gaels. An RBI single to right field in the next at bat capped the scoring. Iona looked to keep the game alive with runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning, but Fordham secured back-to-back groundouts for the 10-2 win.
Senior
Samantha Rieb got the start and pitched the first four frames while Hoppe pitched the final two in relief.
UP NEXT
The Gaels will take a week break before another local midweek matchup on Wednesday, March 12 with a trip to St. John's for a 2 p.m. contest.