FAIRFIELD, CT — The Iona University Softball team continued its road swing on Tuesday afternoon with a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader at Sacred Heart. The first game saw a 5-4 setback for the Gaels and the Pioneers put on a late charge to take game two, 3-1 at Pioneer Park.
 
Senior Alivia Lichtner, sophomores Addie Smith and Sara Piña along with rookie Rachael Morales posted multi-hit games in the opener. Seniors Brooke Acker and Hannah Werth tallied the lone Iona hits in game two.

GAME ONE: SACRED HEART 5, IONA 4

The Gaels struck first with a big opening inning as Morales led off with a hit by pitch before stealing second base. Lichtner then roped an RBI double to left field for the first run of the game. Piña followed with an RBI single through the right side.
 
Sacred Heart countered with a one-out RBI fielder's choice in the bottom of the first inning.
 
Iona kept things rolling in the second as Smith recorded a leadoff single. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt before Werth recorded a six-pitch walk. Morales gave Iona a 3-1 lead with an RBI single to center field. The Gaels then loaded the bases before the Pioneers recorded an inning ending double play.
 
Momentum carried over for the Pioneers in the bottom half of the second, utilizing four runs on four hits including a two-run home run to take a 5-3 lead.
 
The Gaels worked the bases loaded in the top of the fourth as Morales, Lichtner and Piña all recorded two-out infield singles. Sacred Heart evaded trouble with an inning ending pop out to second base.
 
Iona got a leadoff walk from Werth to start the sixth inning. She then advanced to second on a groundout before moving to third on a bunt single from Lichtner. The Gaels got runners on second and third after Lichtner stole second. Piña made it a one run game with a sacrifice fly to right field. Sacred Heart escaped the inning with a groundout to short.
 
After a one, two, three bottom of the sixth, senior Hailey Guerrero opened the seventh with a double to left center. The Pioneers recorded a fly out and a strikeout to seal the game one win.
 
Rookie Melissa Gordon pitched the complete game for Iona, scattering eight hits and five runs while striking out four batters to three walks.

GAME TWO: SACRED HEART 3, IONA 1

Sacred Heart struck first in bottom of the second inning with a sacrifice fly with one-out.
 
The Gaels were held hitless through the first four innings with just two walks earned by senior Brianna Fischer and Werth. Acker recorded the first hit for Iona in the top of the fifth with a leadoff single through the right side. Iona had runners on first and second with two outs but were unable to advance.
 
Junior Allison Hoppe scattered two hits over the next three innings for the Gaels.
 
Iona's offense finally got going in the top of the sixth as Werth led off with a single to center field before advancing to second a wild pitch. Morales then worked a walk before both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt. A fielder's choice at the plate on a bunt by Piña loaded up the bases for the Gaels. Fischer lifted a deep fly ball to right field to score Werth to make it a 1-1 ballgame. Sacred Heart escaped the inning with a pop out to short.
 
Sacred Heart stormed back in the bottom of the sixth with a pair of two-out RBI singles to take a 3-1 lead into the final frame. The Pioneers shut the door in the seventh to take the doubleheader sweep.
 
Hoppe pitched the complete game in the circle for the Gaels, yielding three runs and striking out four batters along with four walks on the day.

UP NEXT

The Gaels are back in action tomorrow Wednesday, April 22 for a trip to St. John's for a 3 p.m. contest from Red Storm Field.