JACKSONVILLE, FL — The Iona University Softball team continued its opening weekend on Saturday across town at Jacksonville University, dropping a pair of games to the Dolphins, 9-1 and 3-2 at Pruitt Softball Complex.
 
Rookie Alyssa Griffin led the Gaels with a 2-for-3 afternoon at the plate, recording her first collegiate home run in game one and a two-run RBI single in game two.

GAME ONE: JACKSONVILLE 9, IONA 1 (5 inn.)

The Dolphins capitalized early in the opener with a four-run bottom of the first inning on three hits and two walks to take an early 4-0 advantage.
 
Iona was held hitless until two-outs in the top of the third inning before Griffin lined her first collegiate home run over the center field wall to bring the score to 4-1.
 
Jacksonville countered in the next half inning with five runs on one hit and seven walks to bring the final to 9-1.
 
The Gaels got just one more hit in the top of the fourth inning as sophomore Sara Piña lined a single to center field. Iona was retired in order from there as the home team secured the run-rule win.
 
Rookie Melissa Gordon pitched the first two and two third for Iona and sophomore Marylou Piazza pitched an inning and a third in relief.

GAME TWO: JACKSONVILLE 3, IONA 2

Jacksonville looked to strike early in game two with a double and single to lead off the bottom of the second inning. Junior Bella DiGiandomenico retired the side in order from there, getting a flyout, a strikeout swinging and a groundout to third to end the inning.
 
The Dolphins broke the tie ballgame an inning later with a two-run shot over the center field fence.
 
Iona was held hitless until the top half of the fifth inning as senior Brooke Acker led things off with a double to center field. Senior Hailey Guerrero then roped a single to left center allowing sophomore pinch runner Zoey Nussbaum to advance to third base. Jacksonville looked to escape trouble with a ground out and strikeout for the first two outs. Griffin stepped to the dish and lined a two-run single into right center to knot the game up at 2-2.
 
Momentum quickly shifted back to the home team with a leadoff home run in the next half inning to jump back in front, 3-2.
 
Iona looked to rally one last time in the top of the sixth inning with a leadoff walk for freshman Rachael Morales before Piña reached on a fielder's choice as the Dolphins got the lead out at second. After a flyout, Piña swiped second on a steal. Jacksonville escaped trouble with an inning ending groundout. The Dolphins retired the Gaels in order in the seventh to secure the doubleheader sweep.
 
DiGiandomenico started the first three and two thirds for Iona, giving up just one earned run and striking out three batters to two walks issued. Junior Allison Hoppe pitched the final two and a third innings in relief.

UP NEXT

Iona wraps ups up the first weekend of the season on Sunday, February 15 with a 10 a.m. matchup against Princeton at UNF Softball Complex.