LEWISTON, NY — The Iona University Softball team continued its strong week on Saturday afternoon with a doubleheader sweep at Niagara. The Gaels offense recorded 27 combined hits on the day, earning a 5-0 shutout in game one and a 9-0 shutout in game two against the Purple Eagles at Niagara Softball Field.
 
Senior Brianna Fischer and sophomore Sara Piña led the Maroon & Gold with five hits each in the twinbill. Senior Hailey Guerrero drove in four runs in the two games. Fischer, Guerrero and senior Alivia Lichtner recorded a home run in game one.
 
Rookie Melissa Gordon spun a six-hit shutout in game one and junior Allsion Hoppe twirled a three-hit shutout in game two. Both picked up their first solo shutouts of the season.

GAME ONE: IONA 5, NIAGARA 0

The Gaels got started in game one as Fischer dropped down a leadoff bunt before stealing second base. Niagara picked up back-to-back outs on a strikeout and a groundout that allowed Fischer to advance to third. Sophomore Addie Smith then worked a six-pitch walk to extend the inning. Sophomore Jovanna Donaruma went first pitch hunting and lined an RBI single to right field for the 1-0 lead.
 
Iona tacked on two more runs in the third inning courtesy of a leadoff home run from Lichtner and a one-out home run from Fischer to jump ahead 3-0.
 
After a quiet fourth inning, Lichtner led off the fifth with a single before stealing second base. Piña then recorded the RBI single to give the Gaels a 4-0 favor.
 
It was another leadoff home run for the Maroon & Gold in the sixth inning as Guerrero went first pitch hunting and sent a shot over the right field fence to extend the lead.
 
Gordon twirled her first solo shutout of the season, scattering six hits and two walks while striking out three batters.
 
Iona totaled 12 hits in game one as Fischer led with three hits while Lichtner, Piña, Guerrero and Donaruma all carded two hits apiece.

GAME TWO: IONA 9, NIAGARA 0 (6 INN.)

Iona picked things up in the top of the second of game two as Fischer led off with a double to left center. Senior Brooke Acker delivered the first run of the game on an RBI single to center field. The inning continued as sophomore Marylou Piazza roped an RBI double to make it a 2-0 advantage.
 
Offense remained quiet till the fifth inning for the Gaels as Lichtner and Piña recorded back-to-back singles to lead things off before advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt. After another ground out, Guerrero cleared the bases with a two-RBI double to center. Smith followed that up with an RBI double of her own for a three-run inning.
 
Iona carried things over into the sixth as senior Hannah Werth and rookie Rachael Morales led off with back-to-back walks. A sacrifice bunt advanced both runners into scoring position. Piña cleared the bases with a two-RBI single to right center. A flyout followed before Acker lined an RBI double to right field. Guerrero then lined an RBI double of her own to left center for the 9-0 lead.
 
Hoppe held the Purple Eagles hitless for the first four innings of action. She scattered three hits with zero walks and four strikeouts in the win.
 
Acker and Piña led the Gaels with three hits each in game two to go with two runs batted in and Fischer added two hits. Guerrero drove in three runs to lead the team.

UP NEXT

The two teams conclude the weekend series tomorrow morning from Niagara Softball Field. Game time will now be at 8 a.m. due to impending inclement weather slated for the afternoon.