WILMINGTON, NC — The Iona University Softball team split the opening day of the weekend tournament at UNC Wilmington on Friday. The Gaels topped Lafayette 5-2 in the opener for the first win of the season before ending the day at Boseman Field with a 6-0 setback to UNCW.
 
Rookie Rachael Morales posted a 3-for-6 day including a two-RBI single in game one. Senior Hailey Guerrero tacked on a two-RBI single in the opener while graduate student Kenadie Gonzalez drove in a run. First-year head coach Andy Russo picked up his first win at the helm of the Maroon & Gold in game one. 

GAME ONE: IONA 5, LAFAYETTE 2

Offense was slow to start in the first two innings of action as the Leopards recorded the games lone hit in the second.
 
The Gaels got started in the top half of the third as senior Alivia Lichtner reached on a fielding error. She proceeded to swipe second base before advancing to third on a single from Werth. With two runners on, Morales stepped to the plate and lined a 2-RBI single to right field to get Iona on the scoreboard.
 
Iona's big inning continued as sophomore Sara Piña and senior Brianna Fischer both reached base. A walk to senior Brooke Acker loaded up the bases for Iona. Guerrero brought the score to 4-0 with a 2-RBI infield single.
 
Lafayette cut the deficit in the half in the bottom half of the frame on a one-out RBI double to left field followed by a sacrifice fly to left field. After a hitless fourth inning, Iona threatened with two runners on and no outs in the fifth, but the Leopards escaped trouble.
 
The Gaels added to their tally in the top of the sixth as sophomore Addie Smith reached on a two-out single to left field. Gonzalez followed with an RBI double to left field to bring the score to 5-2.
 
DiGiandomenico yielded just one base runner the final two innings to preserve the complete game victory.
 
Werth and Morales posted multiple hits for the Gaels in the win. DiGiandomenico pitched her first complete game for the Maroon & Gold, scattering four hits with three strikeouts to two runs given up for her first win.

GAME TWO: UNCW 6, IONA 0

Iona looked to carry things over in the second contest of the day with back-to-back singles from Morales and Fischer in the top of the first. Iona eventually worked the bases loaded with one out as Gonzalez reached on a hit by pitch. The Seahawks evaded trouble by getting the second out at the dish and a strikeout to end the inning.
 
UNCW opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning with a two-run RBI single with the bases loaded. Iona got the first out on a strikeout before a caught stealing at third base. The Seahawks took advantage of two walks before an RBI infield single. UNCW brought the score to 5-0 after scoring two runs on an error.
 
Iona had one base runner reach base in the next four innings but were unable to get into scoring position. UNCW added to its tally in the bottom of the sixth inning with a one-out RBI single to right field to bring the score to 6-0. The Gaels were retired in order in the top of the seventh to give the home team the win.
 
The Gaels were held to three hits against the Seahawks as Morales, Fischer and rookie Alyssa Griffin recorded the hits for the Gaels.
 
Junior Allison Hoppe made the start in the circle for Iona, going all six innings with four earned runs, four walks and four strikeouts.

UP NEXT

Iona continues the weekend tournament with two more games tomorrow, first a matchup at 10 AM against Georgetown followed by a 3 p.m. contest against UNCW at Boseman Field.