LOUDONVILLE, NY — The Iona University baseball team fell to the Siena Saints 8-1 in the rubber match of the weekend series. Siena used a five-run third inning to take control and secure the series victory. The lone run for the Gaels came on a fourth-inning home run.
GAME SUMMARY
The Gaels threatened to begin the first inning as senior Damian Rodriguez was hit by a pitch, while sophomore Malachi Costello and redshirt sophomore Sean Stephenson each drew walks, but a strikeout ended the rally. In the bottom of the frame, a sacrifice fly from the Saints gave them a 1-0 lead.
The Saints offense erupted for five runs in the bottom of the third to extend its advantage. A pair of RBI triples accounted for three of the runs. The final two runs of the inning scored on a sacrifice bunt and a failed pickoff attempt, giving the Saints a 6-0 lead at the end of the third.
The Gaels got on the board in the fourth inning with a home run from redshirt junior Jordan Overton. As the Gaels offense continued to struggle, the Saints added another run in the bottom of the sixth on a wild pitch. In the top of the seventh, the Gaels loaded the bases with walks from junior AJ Oden, senior Nickolas Mora, and Rodriguez, but the rally ended with a called strikeout.
The Saints scored their final run of the game on an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh. The Gaels were unable to mount a rally in the eighth or ninth innings as they fell 8-1 in the series finale.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Sophomore Justin Trinidad pitched 3.0 innings allowing only one run.
- Graduate student Tyler Lender pitched 2.0 innings and was able to strikeout three batters.
- Iona batters walked a total of six times.
UP NEXT
The Gaels return to action on Thursday as Manhattan comes into town for the final regular season series of the year. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
