NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona University Softball team closed out its first conference weekend strong with an 8-5 victory over Rider in the series finale. The Maroon & Gold offense tallied a season-high 12 hits to take the weekend series over the Broncs at Donald E. Walsh Field.
Sophomore Sara Piña registered a career-high four runs batted in to lead the Gaels. Rookie
Rachael Morales went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in. Senior
Brianna Fischer and rookie
McKenzie Marranca both recorded multi-hit games. Junior
Allison Hoppe tallied her second straight win in the circle for Iona.
GAME SUMMARY
Iona pounced early as Morales and Fischer led off the bottom of the first inning with back-to-back singles before senior
Hailey Guerrero earned a five pitch walk to load the bases. Senior
Brooke Acker then hit an RBI single through the left side for the first run of the game. Piña won her six pitch at bat with a bases clearing three-run triple to push the lead to four. After a pitching change, sophomore
Marylou Piazza worked a seven pitch walk then Marranca followed with an RBI single up the middle to bring the score to 5-0.
Rider cut into the deficit in the top of the third on a one-out two run home run.
The Gaels offense countered in the bottom of the fourth as senior
Hannah Werth led off with a double to left field. Morales followed up with an RBI single to center field. Fischer was hit by a pitch and then Guerrero singled to load the bases. Rider got the first out on a play at the plate. Piña brought the score to 7-2 after a sacrifice fly to left field.
Rider responded in the next half inning with another two-run home run to make it a three-run ballgame once again.
Iona tacked on its final run in the bottom of the fifth as Marranca opened the inning with a double to right center. Senior
Alivia Lichtner was then hit by a pitch before a sacrifice bunt advanced both runners into scoring position. Morales picked up her second RBI of the game with an infield single to third base.
The Broncs looked to cut into the deficit once more in the sixth, scoring one run on a fielding error before Hoppe escaped further trouble with an inning ending strikeout.
She then held the Broncs to just one hit in the seventh to secure the complete game victory. Hoppe registered five strikeouts to five walks and three earned runs.
UP NEXT
Iona continues its homestand at Walsh Field on Wednesday, March 11 with a 2 p.m. matchup against Stony Brook.
