Game Summary

The Gaels fell behind early going gown 3-0 in the first three innings. In the fourth inning, Kemp would reach on an error and advance to second on another error. With two outs in the inning, junior Anthony Zollo would put the ball in play and Manhattan would commit their third error of the inning and allow Kemp to score.

Iona would work around a lead off double in the bottom of the fourth inning, before erupting for eight runs in the top of the fifth inning. An error and two hit by pitches loaded the bases for Overton to single in a run and move everyone up one base. Kemp would flip the game upside down blasting a grand slam to dead center for his seventh home run of the season. It would not stop their, graduate student Jayson Gonzalez would rope a double and Manhattan would pull their starter. Three straight singles from Zollo, Stephenson and senior Anthony Febo driving in a run and loaded the bases again in the process. Senior Matt Wessels would draw a bases loaded walk followed by Rodriguez knocking in a run on an RBI ground out and the Gaels were up 9-3. A 1-2-3 inning in the bottom half is exactly what the Gaels needed after their offensive spark.

Following a quick sixth from both sides, Stephenson would smash a one out home run to bring the Maroon & Gold's lead up to 10-3. Febo would follow the homer up with a double and with two outs in the inning, Rodriguez welcomed the new Jasper pitcher with a home run to left center putting them up 12-3. Manhattan would be able to get three runs back in the bottom half of the inning drawing a walk, two hits and an error. The top of the eighth saw Kemp draw a walk, Zollo double him in before Stephenson would single him in, upping the lead to 14-3. Following a walk and another pitching change Wessel's singled another run in. A balk would add one more run and sophomore Jc Frias singled to finally get the Gaels to 18 runs on the day. Manhattan would get a two run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, but fall 18-8.

Kuentzel was awarded the win, his first of the year and Manhattan's Grasser was tagged with the loss. Iona is now just one win away from tying last year's total.

TEAM STATS

• Iona won the strikeout battle, 6-4
• The Gaels out hit the Jaspers 16-10
• Manhattan commit four errors while Iona only had one
• The Jaspers stole the lone base of the game

notable nuggets

• Kemp adds to his team lead RBI total now at 37.
• Rodriguez hit his first home run of the season.
• Stephenson now on a seven game hitting streak has had six multi hit games in that time.
• Kuentzel is just eight strikeouts away from 100 career.

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