POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — The Iona University softball team fell to six-seed Rider, 5-2 on Wednesday afternoon in game three of the 2025 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship on Wednesday afternoon. The Broncs jumped out to an early lead over the Gaels at Gartland Field as both teams squared off in the championship for the second straight season.
The Maroon & Gold were outhit by the Broncs 9-4 for the game. Junior
Alivia Lichtner led the Gaels with two hits including her second home run of the season, a two-run shot in the bottom of the seventh.
GAME SUMMARY
Rider broke open the scoring in the top of the second with two runners on and one out with an RBI single to left field. The Broncs added to the tally in the third with two home runs and a two-out RBI single to jump out in front 4-0.
Iona was held hitless through the first four and a third innings of play before junior
Hannah Werth recorded a single to right field. A fielder's choice on a slow rolling grounder up the middle allowed junior
Brooke Acker to reach first base with two outs. Rider escaped trouble with a foul out near the first base dugout to end the inning.
The Broncs extended the lead to five with a leadoff home run in the top of the fifth inning. Iona looked to get going offensively as senior
Brianna Bailey and junior
Alivia Lichtner recorded back-to-back singles to lead off the bottom of the frame. Rider retired the side from there to halt any momentum.
Down to the final three outs in the seventh, Bailey worked a one-out walk for the Gaels. Lichtner then stepped to the dish and lined the 1-2 pitch over the left field wall to get the Gaels on the scoreboard. The Broncs picked up the final two outs to seal the 5-2 win, and avenge the elimination game loss to the Gaels from a season ago.
Sophomore
Allison Hoppe made the start in the circle for the Maroon & Gold, pitching three and a third innings. Rookies
Nadia Andarowski and
Hadley Donnelly made relief appearances.
UP NEXT
The Gaels will take on the loser of the Canisius / Siena in an elimination game currently slated for 9 a.m. tomorrow morning.