LEWISBURG, PA — The Iona University softball team pushed its winning streak to a season-best nine straight with a doubleheader sweep at Bucknell on Thursday afternoon. The Maroon & Gold withstood a late charge from the Bison in the 5-3 game one win before a 3-0 shutout in game two to secure the sweep in the non-conference finale at Becker Field.
 
Junior Hannah Werth recorded a multi-hit game in the opener and added a run batted in. The Gaels utilized a big sixth inning in the first conference. Junior Hailey Guerrero launched a three-run home run and rookie Sara Piña tallied three hits in game two. First-year Nadia Andarowski spun her third shutout of the season. 

GAME ONE: IONA 5, BUCKNELL 3

Offense was slow to start as both teams were held hitless through the first two frames. Fischer got the Gaels started with a two-out single to left field for the first hit of the game. She then proceeded to steal second base. Werth stepped into the batter's box and lined the fifth pitch of the at bat down the left field line for the RBI single and 1-0 Iona lead.
 
The Bison had a runner reach base on a hit in each of the next three frames but the Gaels defense backed up sophomore Allison Hoppe to end each frame.
 
The Gaels opened the top of the sixth with three straight hits as Werth opened with an infield single, Guerrero followed with a bunt single and junior Brooke Acker dropped bloop single to centerfield. Piña was next at bat and lifted the 1-1 offering to right field for the RBI sacrifice fly and 2-0 advantage. After a strikeout, rookie Caelin Kosvitch went first pitch hunting and lined an RBI single down the left field line for the second run of the inning. Kosvitch then stole second base to put two runners in scoring position. A fielding error on a pop up to first by junior Alivia Lichtner allowed both runners to score to bring the score to 5-0.
 
After a one-two-three sixth inning, Bucknell looked for one final rally with three straight singles to start the inning. An RBI single to first base allowed one run to score. Iona got the first out on a strikeout before another RBI single to cut the deficit to three. One more run scored on an RBI ground out and moved the tying run into scoring position at second base. Hoppe ended the threat by snagging the line drive hit back to the circle for the 5-3 game one win.

GAME TWO: IONA 3, BUCKNELL 0

It was a pitching duel once again in game two as the bats were slow to get going in game two with both teams trading two hits a side in the first three frames. Piña had a single in the second for Iona and Lichtner added a triple in the third but were unable to score.
 
Bucknell threatened with the bases loaded and one in the bottom of the fourth, but Andarowski shut the door with a swinging strikeout and pop up to end the inning.
 
The Bison got the potential go-ahead run on third with a one-out triple in the fifth inning, but the Gaels once again escaped trouble with a ground out to third and a fly out to right field to end the inning.
 
After getting held to two hits through the first five innings, Iona's offense jump started thanks to a lead off triple to right center by Fischer. Werth followed with an infield single to third base. Guerrero then went first pitch swinging and launched a three-run home run over the left field wall for the 3-0 lead. The Gaels threatened further as Piña and senior Brianna Bailey recorded two-out base knocks, but Bucknell evaded further trouble with a pop out to short.
 
The Bison looked for one last rally in its final home game of the season, but Andarowski shut the door, retiring the side for the 3-0 shutout win.

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• Werth posted two hits in each of the games today for her ninth and 10^th multi-hit games of the season.
• Hoppe registered her 14^th win in the circle and her 17^th complete game performance on the year.
• Piña posted her second three-hit game of the season in the second contest.
• Guerrero launched her 12^th home run of the season and posted her seventh multi-RBI game on the year.
• Andarowski registered her second straight shutout and earned her eighth win in the circle. 

UP NEXT

The Gaels conclude the home portion of the 2025 regular season slate on Tuesday, April 29 with a doubleheader against Fairfield. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. from Donald E. Walsh Field.