NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona University softball team got back to its winning ways on Wednesday afternoon with a doubleheader sweep over Army West Point at Donald E. Walsh Field. The Gaels totaled 20 hits in the non-conference sweep, besting the Black Knights, 7-3 in game one and 8-5 in game two to move to 11-2 at home this season.
 
Junior Hannah Werth led the way in game one for the Maroon & Gold, going 3-for-4 with a team best three runs batted in. Rookie Sara Piña went 3-for-3 with a team-high three runs batted in. Sophomore Allison Hoppe earned the game one win while first-year Nadia Andarowski recorded the game two victory in the circle.

GAME ONE: IONA 7, ARMY WEST POINT 3

Army West Point punched first in the opener, utilizing a two-out two-run home run to left center in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead.
 
Iona finally answered in the bottom of the third inning as junior Brianna Fischer opened the inning with a one-out single up the middle and classmate Hailey Guerrero followed two batters later with a six-pitch walk with two outs. Junior Brooke Acker stepped to the dish and lined the 1-1 offering to right center for a two-RBI double to knot the score up at 2-2.
 
The Gaels continued to roll in the fourth inning as rookie Caelin Kosvitch opened with a one-out single to center field. After a strikeout, freshman Jovanna Donaruma an eight-pitch walk. Another walk followed as Fischer loaded up the bases for Iona. Werth gave the Gaels a 4-2 lead with a two-RBI single up the middle.
 
Iona capped its scoring in the sixth inning as junior Alivia Lichtner lined a base hit up the middle. She then advanced to third with heads up baserunning on a sacrifice bunt. Fischer then worked a walk and advanced to second to put two runners in scoring position. Werth lined another single back up the middle for the first run. Guerrero followed with an infield single to score another. Werth capped the inning by stealing home on a first and third steal and rundown to bring the score to 7-2.
 
Army West Point looked to rally late with runners on first and second with two outs. An RBI single brought the score to 7-3 before a fielder's choice at second base sealed the opener for the Gaels.

GAME TWO: IONA 8, ARMY WEST POINT 5

The Black Knights once again were the first two strike with a big opening inning to start game two. Utilizing five hits on including a two-run triple and an RBI single to left center to take an early 3-0 lead.
 
It was short lived as the Gaels answered in the bottom half of the first inning working runners on first and third to start the frame. A passed ball allowed Fischer to score the first Iona run. After a pop-out, Acker singled to left field to put runners at the corners yet again. Piña went first pitch hunting and cleared the bases with a two RBI double to right center to tie the game up 3-3.
 
Momentum carried over for the Gaels in the second as Lichtner led off the inning with a bunt single before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt. Fischer gave Iona the lead with an RBI single up the middle. Werth followed with a walk and a wild pitch followed. Guerrero laid down the RBI sacrifice squeeze for the second run of the inning. Acker gave Iona the 6-3 lead after an RBI infield single.

Army West Point cut into the deficit in the top of the fourth with a two-out RBI single to center field. Piña added to Iona's tally in the bottom half of the frame with a one-out RBI single up the middle.
 
The Black Knight made it a two-run game in the top of the fifth with a two-out RBI infield single. Iona was there to answer once again in the bottom of the inning as Fischer brought the final to 8-5 with a sacrifice fly to left field. Iona spun a double play and then a game ending lineout to secure the sweep.

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• Werth recorded her second three-hit game of the season and drove in a career-high three runs in the opener.
• Fischer posted her sixth multi-hit game in the first contest and her fourth two-RBI game of the year in the second game.
• Acker registered her ninth multi-RBI game of the season in the opener. The second game saw her 12^th multi-hit contest.
• Piña tallied a career-high three hits in the second game and drove in three runs for the second time this year.
• Hoppe struck out five in the opener for her 10^th win of the season.
• Andarowski recorded a win in her fifth straight appearance in the circle. 

UP NEXT

The Gaels continue the homestand on Friday, April 18 with a MAAC doubleheader against Manhattan to kick off a weekend series. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Good Friday.