NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona University Softball team fell to Maine, 7-3 on Thursday afternoon. The Gaels outhit the Black Bears 8-7 but were unable to overcome a strong start from the visitors at Donald E. Walsh Field.
Senior
Brianna Fischer led the Maroon & Gold with a pair of hits along with a run batted in. Rookie
Rachael Morales added a pair of runs batted in.
GAME SUMMARY
Maine worked the bases loaded in the opening frame and capitalized on a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch for the early advantage. Iona looked to scratch one run back in the bottom half as Fischer reached on a fielder's choice and then swiped second base before advancing to third on a groundout, but Maine picked up an inning ending strikeout.
The Black Bears tacked on another run in the top of the third on a two-out RBI single to take a 3-0 lead. Maine extended its lead in the top of the fifth with three more runs on an RBI double and a two-out two RBI single.
Iona was held to just one hit the first four innings as rookie
LeeAnn Downey tallied the lone hit with a single up the middle in the second inning.
The Gaels offense got rolling in the bottom of the fifth as sophomore Sara Piña recorded a one-out single up the middle. Senior
Alivia Lichtner went first pitch hunting and lined a single to right center. Both runners advanced into scoring position on a ground out. Morales then stepped to the dish and lined a two-run single to right field to get Iona on the scoreboard. Fischer followed that with an RBI double to right field to bring the score to 6-3.
Maine tacked on the final run in the top of the sixth with a two-out RBI single to right center. Iona looked for one final rally in the bottom of the seventh with two runners on and two outs but the Black Bears got the game ending strikeout to preserve the 7-3 ballgame.
Sophomore
Marylou Piazza pitched the complete game for the Gaels, recording a season-high four strikeouts.
UP NEXT
The Gaels dip back into Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play with a series against Siena that has moved to Walsh Field beginning tomorrow Friday, March 20 at 1 p.m. with the opening game of a doubleheader.