FAIRFIELD, CT — The Iona University baseball team faced off against Fairfield and fell 5-1. The Gaels struck first with an RBI groundout in the first inning, but the Stags answered with four runs in the third to take the lead. Fairfield added another run in the bottom of the fifth to extend the score to 5-1. The game was halted in the seventh inning due to weather and resumed the following day. Neither team generated offense after play resumed, as the score remained 5-1.
GAME SUMMARY
The Gaels struck first on Saturday morning, as senior Damian Rodriguez led off the game with a double on the first pitch to put them in prime position. A ground out in the following at-bat advanced Rodriguez to third. Sophomore Malachi Costello then stepped up and grounded out to third, allowing Rodriguez to score and give the Gaels a 1-0 lead.
Junior Brendan Callanan cruised through the first two innings without surrendering a run, but ran into trouble in the bottom of the third. The Stags scored four runs on three hits in the inning, highlighted by a two-RBI single and a two-run home run to take a 4-1 lead.
Iona threatened in the top of the fourth, putting together a two-out rally with consecutive singles from junior AJ Oden and senior Anthony Zollo, but a ground out ended the inning. Callanan bounced back in the fourth, retiring the Stags in order.
Fairfield added another run in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI double to left field, extending the lead to 5-1. The Gaels looked to respond in the top of the sixth when redshirt-sophomore Sean Stephenson drew a walk, but the next batter grounded into a double play. The offense continued to push, as Oden singled and Zollo doubled to put runners on the corners. Senior Braize Mitchell was then hit by a pitch to load the bases, but a swinging strikeout ended the threat.
The game was halted in the top of the seventh due to weather and resumed the following day. Neither team generated much offense over the final three innings, combining for just one hit, as the Gaels fell 5-1 in game two of the three-game series.
TEAM STATS
- Iona pitchers struck out ten batters on the day.
- The Maroon & Gold totaled seven hits on the day.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Oden went 2-3 on the day with a walk.
- Zollo went 2-4 on the day, and recorded his 200th hit of his career becoming the sixth Iona player all-time to record this feat.
- Sophomore Justin Trinidad pitched three innings allowing only one walk while striking out five.
UP NEXT
The Gaels return to action on Wednesday at home as they face off against La Salle in the second half of a home an home. First pitch is schedule for 3 p.m.
