NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona University baseball team fell 10-3 in the rubber match of its three-game series against Marist. The Red Foxes jumped out early with six runs, but the Gaels bullpen settled in and held Marist to just one hit over 7.2 innings of relief. Marist added four more runs in the ninth to extend its lead. The Gaels scored once in the fifth inning and added two more in the ninth, but could not overcome the early deficit.
Game summary
The Red Foxes came out swinging, opening the game with a single up the middle on the second pitch of the inning. The next batter doubled down the left field line to bring in the first run. The following sequence unraveled quickly, as four straight batters reached base, highlighted by three consecutive singles, giving Marist a 3-0 lead. With the bases loaded, a triple to right center extended the advantage to 6-0. Graduate student Tyler Lender entered and recorded two straight outs to finally end the inning.
Marist threatened again in the top of the third, loading the bases with one out. Freshman Danny Castillo responded by inducing a line out and a ground out to escape the jam and keep the deficit at six.
The Gaels offense remained quiet until the bottom of the fifth. Senior Damian Rodriguez singled to right center and later moved to third on a stolen base and a wild pitch. With one out, junior AJ Oden reached on an error, allowing Rodriguez to score and put the Gaels on the board. Redshirt junior Jordan Overton followed with a single to left to keep the rally alive, and redshirt freshman Cole Silvia drew a walk to load the bases. However, a swinging strikeout ended the inning before any further damage could be done.
The Gaels bullpen held firm over the next three innings, preventing any additional scoring until Marist broke through with four runs in the top of the ninth to extend the lead to nine. Overton tried to spark a late comeback with a double down the line in the bottom half. Silvia followed with a single to center, moving Overton to third. Junior JC Frias then singled through the right side to drive in Overton for the Gaels' second run. Senior Anthony Zollo added a sacrifice fly to right for the third run, but the late push fell short as the Gaels dropped the game, 10-3.
TEAM STATS
- Five Gaels' pitchers that came out of the bullpen allowed one hit or less.
- The Maroon & Gold offense tallied a dozen hits on the day.
notable nuggets
- Rodriguez batted 3-5 with one run scored.
- Cole Silvia batted 2-3 with two walks and a run scored.
- Castillo pitched 3.0 innings of relief with no walks.
- Sophomore Danny Onorato pitched 3.1 innings in relief allowing only one hit, while striking out two batters.
Up Next
The Gaels return to action Wednesday as they welcome Yale to City Park. First pitch is scheduled for 3 P.M.
