BALTIMORE, MD — The Iona University baseball team faced off against UMBC to open a three-game series. The Gaels fell behind by five runs early but battled back to tie the game at five after a five-run fifth inning. UMBC responded by scoring in three consecutive innings, which proved to be the difference. A late two-run rally in the ninth was not enough, as the Gaels fell 9-8.
GAME SUMMARY
The Gaels threatened early as a throwing error and a single from redshirt junior
Jordan Overton put runners on first and third with one out, but the next batter struck out to end the frame. UMBC struck first in the second inning, using an RBI single and a sacrifice fly to take an early 2-0 lead.
In the top of the fourth, junior
AJ Oden drew a walk, followed by a single from senior
Anthony Zollo to put runners on first and second with no outs. A strikeout, fielder's choice, and fly out ended the Gaels' rally.
The Retrievers added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth. An RBI single brought in one run, and a two-run single two batters later extended UMBC's lead to five. The Gaels responded in the top of the fifth.
Senior
Damian Rodriguez led off with a single, and sophomore
Malachi Costello followed with a single through the right side to put runners on the corners with one out. Overton drove in a run with a single, and Oden walked in the next at-bat to load the bases. Zollo ripped a double down the left field line to drive in two runs and cut into the deficit. Senior
Braize Mitchell followed with a single to right center that brought in two more runs, capping a five-run inning and tying the game heading into the bottom of the fifth.
The tie did not last long, as the Retrievers added two runs in the bottom half on consecutive RBI singles to make it 7-5. After singles from Rodriguez and redshirt sophomore
Sean Stephenson, the Gaels again had runners on the corners to start the inning. Costello lined out to center, deep enough to score Rodriguez and make it a one-run game.
UMBC answered in the bottom of the sixth, as a lead off single eventually led to a sacrifice fly that pushed the lead back to two at 8-6. They added another run in the bottom of the seventh on a bases-loaded walk to extend the lead to three.
In the ninth, the Gaels mounted one final rally. Mitchell reached on an error, and freshman
Aiden Ciprian followed with a single up the middle. Mitchell moved to third on a fielder's choice by Rodriguez and later scored on another fielder's choice. A single by sophomore Kiernan Kehoe cut the deficit to one, but the comeback fell short as a line out ended the game, with the Gaels falling 9-8.
TEAM STATS
- The Maroon & Gold would tally 15 hits on the day.
- Every batter besides one would reach base for the Gaels.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Rodriguez would hit 3-6.
- Zollo batted 3-4 with two RBIs.
- Overton and Oden both hit 2-4.
UP NEXT
The Gaels return to action on tomorrow for game two of the three game set against the Retrievers. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.