NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona University baseball team defeated the Manhattan Jaspers 7-2 in game one of the series. Both teams struggled offensively early, with just one run scored through the first four innings. The Gaels tied the game at one in the fifth inning and used a three-run sixth inning, highlighted by a home run and two RBI hits, to take a 4-1 lead. Iona added a few insurance runs in the eighth inning to widen the gap and secure the series-opening victory.
GAME SUMMARY
The first run of the game came off a bases-loaded ground out to first in the top of the second, giving the Jaspers an early 1-0 lead. Baserunners were hard to come by for the Gaels in the first four innings, as they managed only three during that stretch.
Junior Brendan Callanan settled in during the first four innings, allowing just three hits. Manhattan threatened with a two-out rally after a walk and a double to right center put two runners in scoring position, but a ground out ended the threat and kept it a one-run game.
The Gaels tied the game in the fifth inning. With one out, graduate student Chavis Conceicao drew a walk, and a double to center from freshman Aiden Ciprian put two runners in scoring position. Senior Damian Rodriguez followed with a fly out to center that advanced both runners, allowing Conceicao to score from third and even the score at one.
As Callanan continued his strong outing, the Gaels provided run support in the sixth inning. Redshirt-sophomore Sean Stephenson led off the inning with a solo homer to right center to give the Gaels their first lead of the day. Two batters later, senior Anthony Zollo singled to right center, which was followed by a triple from junior AJ Oden that brought Zollo home and made the score 3-1. The scoring continued when senior Nickolas Mora singled through the left side to extend the lead to 4-1 heading into the seventh inning.
Manhattan added a run in the top of the seventh on a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to two. In the bottom of the eighth, the Gaels capitalized on small ball as Conceicao grounded out with the bases loaded to bring in a run. A fielding error later in the inning allowed two more runs to score, pushing the lead to 7-2 heading into the ninth.
Senior Sean Davis, who entered in the eighth inning, shut the door on any hopes of a Manhattan comeback as the Maroon & Gold defeated the Jaspers 7-2 in game one.
team stats
- Iona batters totaled eight hits on the day.
- In the field, the Maroon & Gold had 15 assists.
- Iona batters had a team OPS of .906.
- Maroon & Gold batters reached base via the walk five times.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Stephenson went 2-4 with a run and RBI. Oden with 2-3 with a RBI and a walk. This was both their 13th multi hit game of the season.
- Callanan and Davis were able to strand nine Manhattan runners on base.
- Callanan pitched seven innings allowing four hits, and two runs. His seven innings pitched ties his most in a start this season.
- Conceicao is currently riding a seven game on-base streak.
- Davis lowered is ERA to a 3.11.
UP NEXT
The Gaels return to action on tomorrow for game two of the three game set. First pitch is schedule for 5 p.m.
