NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona University softball team continued its strong week with a doubleheader victory over rival, Manhattan on Friday afternoon at Donald E. Walsh Field. The Gaels took a pair of one-run games over the Jaspers, with a 1-0 victory in game one and a 2-1 decision in game two.
The Maroon & Gold have won four straight overall and are on a nine-game winning streak at home. Iona also moved to 15-3 in Metro Atlantic Conference play with the two wins today.
Junior
Brianna Fischer recorded a solo home run and sophomore
Allison Hoppe pitched a one-hit shutout in the opening contest. Junior
Brooke Acker and first-year
Jovanna Donaruma recorded RBI sacrifice flies in game two and rookie
Nadia Andarowski recorded the complete game win.
GAME ONE: IONA 1, MANHATTAN 0
It was a pitcher's duel in the opening contest between Hoppe and Karissa Spring for the Jaspers. Iona had one base runner reach on a leadoff walk in the second but then hit into a double play to cut any momentum.
Hoppe retired the side in order the first three innings before surrendering a one-out single in the fourth. The Gaels gunned down the steal attempt at second before ending the inning on a strikeout swinging.
Fischer led off the bottom of the fourth and lined the 1-1 pitch over the wall in dead center field for the 1-0 Iona lead. The Gaels looked to keep the inning going as junior
Hailey Guerrero roped a double down the left field line then advanced to third on passed ball. Manhattan escaped further trouble with an inning ending ground out to short.
Iona looked to grab insurance runs in the sixth inning as Donaruma led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second. After a strikeout, Guerrero earned a five-pitch walk before a throwing error loaded the bases. The Jaspers were able to get out of the inning with a fly out to right field.
Hoppe recorded two strikeouts in the final three innings and only yielded one base runner on a fielding error with one-out in the seventh. The Gaels got a pop out to second and a force out at second base to secure the 1-0 victory.
GAME TWO: IONA 2, MANHATTAN 1
Iona jumped out to an early lead in the second contest as junior
Hannah Werth started things off with a one-out single in the bottom of the first. Guerrero followed with a double to the gap in left center to put runners on second and third. Acker lifted a deep fly to right field for the RBI sacrifice fly and the early 1-0 advantage.
Andarowski held the Jaspers hitless through the first three frames. Manhattan led off the fourth with an infield single. It was quickly negated as Acker gunned down the steal attempt at second on the next pitch.
Freshman
Caelin Kosvitch led off the bottom of the fifth with a double down the left field line and then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Donaruma stepped to the plate and line a fly ball into left field, Kosvitch beat the throw at the dish to give Iona the 2-0 lead.
Manhattan answered with a leadoff double to start the sixth inning. Andarowski settled in, striking out the next two batters. The Jaspers went first pitch swinging with two outs and line an RBI single to center field to cut the deficit to 2-1.
One final rally attempt came in the seventh for the Jaspers with a two-out single to center field. Andarowski got the next batter to chase on the first pitch and lift a fly ball to center field to seal the one-run ballgame for the Maroon & Gold.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Fischer's game one home run was her third of the season.
- Guerrero registered two extra base hits on the day with a double in each contest.
- Acker tallied her 34th RBI of the season in game two.
- Werth posted her seventh multi-hit game on the year in game two.
- Hoppe earned her third shutout of the season in game one. She surrendered a season-low one hit on the day and struck out three batters.
- Andarowski recorded her sixth straight win in the game two complete game. She scattered five hits and one walk while striking out five batters.
UP NEXT
The Gaels close out the homestand with the series finale against the Jaspers at noon tomorrow. Prior to the game at 11:40 a.m., Iona will recognize its five seniors for Senior Day.
