WEST POINT, NY — The Iona University Softball team continued its road swing on Wednesday afternoon with a trip to Army West Point. The Gaels suffered a 4-0 setback in game one and the Black Knights secured a 3-2 extra innings win in game two at Army Softball Complex.
 
Senior Hailey Guerrero led the Gaels with two hits on the day. Senior Alivia Lichtner recorded an RBI in game two. Senior Brianna Fischer recorded a hit and three stolen bases in game two.

GAME ONE: ARMY WEST POINT 4, IONA 0

The Black Knights broke open the game in the top of the third, capitalizing on four hits and an Iona error to take a 3-0 advantage.
 
Iona's offense was held hitless through the first four innings of play by Army's Amanda Eaglin. The Gaels got on the board in the top of the fifth as Guerrero led off with a single to right field. Sophomore Addie Smith then won a six-pitch at bat and lined a single down the right field line as Guerrero advanced to third. The Black Knights escaped trouble with three straight outs to hold the Gaels off the scoreboard.
 
The Gaels looked to rally in the top of the sixth as sophomore Sara Piña reached base on a one-out single. After a strikeout, senior Brooke Acker reached on a hit by pitch and Guerrero worked a four-pitch walk. Army West Point escaped trouble with an inning ending force out at third.
 
The home team tacked on one more insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on a two-out RBI double to right center to bring the final score to 4-0. Iona was outhit 8-3 by Army West Point in the opening game. Rookie Melissa Gordon pitched the complete game, yielding three earned runs.

GAME TWO: ARMY WEST POINT 3, IONA 2 (8 inn.)

The Gaels grabbed the opening run of the second game in the second inning. Guerrero led off with a single through the right side before stealing second base. Sophomore Jovanna Donaruma then worked an eight-pitch walk. Army picked up two quick outs with the lead runner at third base and then a line out. Rookie Rachael Morales stepped up to the plate and hit a ground ball to short that was misplayed at first base allowing Donaruma to score for the first run of the inning. Lichtner made it a 2-0 ballgame with an RBI single to center field.
 
Army West Point countered in the bottom of the second with a one-out home run to center field. Iona looked to answer in the third inning, loading up the bases with two outs but the Black Knights escaped trouble on a fly out to left field.
 
The Black Knights used timely two-out hitting in the bottom half of the third with a two-out single followed by an RBI double to knot the game up at 2-2.
 
Iona offense picked back up in the sixth inning as Donaruma recorded a lead off bunt single and sophomore Marylou Piazza tallied an infield single. Both runners advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. The home team evaded trouble with an inning ending double play from center field to home plate.
 
In the seventh inning, Fischer worked a two-out walk and then stole second and third as Acker earned a walk. The Black Knights escaped with a strikeout to end the inning.
 
Army West Point sealed the doubleheader sweep with one-out in the eighth inning as Ashton White hit a solo home run over the left field wall.
 
The home team outhit Iona, 10-5 in the second game of the doubleheader. Junior Allison Hoppe pitched the complete game for the Gaels, striking out six batters on the day.

UP NEXT

The Gaels are on a bye weekend for Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play this weekend. Iona returns to action on Tuesday, April 21 for a MAAC doubleheader at Sacred Heart. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. from Pioneer Park.