NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona University softball team earned its fifth consecutive win on Saturday afternoon with a 5-3 win over Manhattan on Senior Day at Donald E. Walsh Field. The Gaels outhit Manhattan 11-8 for the series sweep and improved to 16-3 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action.
Prior to the game, Iona recognized its class of 2025 in graduating seniors
Brianna Bailey,
Kenadie Gonzalez,
Maddy Lowry,
Destiny Nardello and
Samantha Rieb.
Junior
Brianna Fischer paced the Maroon & Gold at the plate, with a career-high four hits to go with a pair of runs batted in. Junior
Hailey Guerrero recorded a multi-hit day at the plate. Junior
Brooke Acker and rookie Sara Piña also drove in a run each.
GAME SUMMARY
Iona pounced early as Fischer led off the bottom of the first with a single through the left side. After a foul out, she then stole second base to get in scoring position. A single and advance on the throw to the plate put two runners in scoring position. Acker lifted a deep fly ball to center field for the RBI sacrifice fly. Piña then stepped to the plate and lined an RBI single and 2-0 lead for the Gaels.
Manhattan clawed one run back in the top of the third on a two-out RBI single to right field, cutting the deficit to one.
The Gaels answered immediately as Bailey recorded a one-out single in the next half inning. Rookie
Caelin Kosvitch earned a hit by pitch and junior
Alivia Lichtner singled to center field to load the bases. An errant throw down to second allowed Bailey to score. Freshman
Jovanna Donaruma then earned a five pitch walk to reload the bases. Fischer connected on a two-run double to left field to bring the score to 5-1.
Sophomore
Allison Hoppe held the Jaspers in check with just one run while scattering five hits and striking out four batters through the first six innings.
Manhattan, down to its final out strung together an infield single and a walk to put two runners on. An RBI single and RBI double followed to put the go-ahead run at the plate. Rookie
Nadia Andarowski came on to pitch and secured a game ending ground out for the 5-3 victory.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Fischer recorded her first career four-hit game, a new single game high by a Gael this season. It was her fifth two-RBI game of the season.
- Guerrero added her 10th multi-hit game of the year in the win.
- Acker recorded an RBI sacrifice fly for the second straight game.
- Hoppe earned her 12th win in the circle for the Maroon & Gold.
- Andarowski registered her first career save in her sixth relief appearance of the season.
UP NEXT
The Gaels will hit the road for a pair of weekday doubleheaders this upcoming week. First up is a trip to Jersey City for two games against Saint Peter's beginning at 1 p.m. from Jaroschak Field.
