NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona University baseball team fell into an early two-run deficit in the first inning but responded with a run of their own. After trailing 3-1 in the third, the Gaels shut down the opposition and did not allow another run the rest of the way. A four-run fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run single, gave the Gaels a 5-3 lead, which proved to be the difference in securing the game two victory.
Game summary
Junior Brendan Callanan found himself in an early jam as the Red Foxes opened the game with a lead off single. Two batters later, Marist drew a walk to put runners on first and second with one out. A ground out in the next at bat advanced both runners, and a single up the middle in the following at bat gave Marist a 2-0 lead.
Senior Damian Rodriguez started the bottom of the first with a double down the right field line. Redshirt-sophomore Sean Stephenson followed with an RBI single to bring Rodriguez home and cut into the Marist lead. Both pitchers settled in during the second inning.
The Red Foxes threatened again in the top of the third, opening the inning with a five-pitch walk and a single to left field to put runners on first and second with no outs. A fly out advanced the runner to third, and a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher allowed Marist to add another run and extend the lead to 3-1.
Marist continued to apply pressure in the fourth, putting runners on second and third with two outs. Graduate student Tyler Lender worked out of the jam, inducing a ground out to end the inning.
Freshman Luke Lang entered in the fifth and quieted the Red Foxes offense, allowing three hits and no runs over his first three innings of relief.
In the bottom of the seventh, senior Anthony Zollo led off with a single to left field. Sophomore Malachi Costello followed with a single of his own, and freshman Aiden Ciprian reached on a bunt that Marist could not handle, loading the bases. Rodriguez was then hit by a pitch, bringing in Zollo from third to cut the deficit to 3-2.
After a pitching change, Stephenson delivered again with a single through the right side to drive in two runs and give the Gaels their first lead of the game. Stephenson and Rodriguez executed a double steal to move into scoring position, and redshirt-junior Jordan Overton lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to score Rodriguez and add an insurance run, making it 5-3.
Lang continued his strong outing in the eighth and ninth innings, holding Marist scoreless to secure the victory. Stephenson's go-ahead hit in the seventh proved to be the difference as the Gaels defeated the Red Foxes 5-3 in game two of the series.
TEAM STATS
- The Maroon & Gold bullpen held the Marist offense to only five hits.
- The Gaels' pitching staff was able to strand nine Marist runners on base.
- The seventh inning for the Gaels saw them score four runs on four hits.
notable nuggets
- Stephenson batted 2-4, with 3 RBIs.
- Land pitched five innings in relief zero runs, four hits, and fanning two. He recorded his second win on the season.
- Overton's seven doubles on the season ranks second in the conference.
- Iona has the second best ERA in the MAAC with a 4.07.
Up Next
The Gaels return to action tomorrow at noon at City Park for the rubber match of the three game set vs. the Red Foxes.
