JACKSONVILLE, FL — The Iona University Softball team opened the 2026 campaign down in Florida on Friday afternoon, dropping a pair of games to University of North Florida. The Ospreys took the opener 3-0 and the Gaels struck first in game two before a late charge by the home team for a 3-1 decision.
Graduate student
Kenadie Gonzalez recorded the first run batted in of the season for Iona in game two. Rookie
Rachael Morales went 3-for-7 between the two games in her Maroon & Gold debut. Junior
Allison Hoppe started game one in the circle and junior
Bella DiGiandomenico started game two while first-year right hander
Melissa Gordon appeared in relief.
GAME ONE: NORTH FLORIDA 3, IONA 0
It was a pitchers dual to begin the 2026 season between Hoppe and Cameron Ponich for the Ospreys. Hoppe held the UNF offense to just two hits and a walk while Ponich didn't issue an Iona base runner through the first five innings.
The Ospreys ended the pitchers dual in the bottom of the sixth with back-to-back singles to begin the frame. An RBI single to left field followed for the first run of the ballgame. After a strikeout, UNF cleared the bases on a two-run double to left field to jump ahead 3-0.
Iona's offense was quiet in its return to the diamond, Morales picked up Iona's lone hit with a one-out infield single in the top of the seventh inning as UNF picked up the opening win.
Hoppe pitched the first five and a third innings, scattering seven hits with a pair of strikeouts and a walk. Gordon made her collegiate debut for the final two outs of the sixth inning.
GAME TWO: NORTH FLORIDA 3, IONA 1
The second game of the twin bill saw three hits through the first three innings of play. UNF struck first with two hits in the bottom of the second before DiGiandomenico got an inning ending ground out. Senior
Brooke Acker got Iona started with a leadoff single in the top of the third frame.
Iona struck first in the top of the fourth inning as sophomore Sara Piña reached on a throwing error with two outs. Sophomore
Addie Smith followed with a first pitch single down the right field line as Piña advanced to third base. Gonzalez lined the 1-2 pitch through the left side to give Iona the 1-0 lead.
UNF countered in the bottom of the fifth with two runners on and two outs. An RBI single to right field knotted the score up at 1-1.
The home team added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning with a one-out RBI single to center field and a sacrifice fly to center to jump out in front 3-1.
Iona looked to rally in the top of the seventh as Morales singled down the left field line with two outs before advancing to second on a wild pitch. UNF secured the game ending strikeout to preserve the sweep.
UNF held a slight 8-7 edge on hits in game two with Gonzalez and Morales contributing two hits apiece. DiGiandomenico pitched the first five and a third innings, registering two strikeouts and two walks. Gordon pitched the last two outs of the sixth inning once again for Iona.
UP NEXT
Iona continues its opening weekend down in Jacksonville with a crosstown trip to Jacksonville University on Saturday, February 14. The Gaels are slated to play back-to-back at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. against the Dolphins at Pruitt Softball Complex.
