NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona University baseball team fell to the Canisius Golden Griffins 7-1 in the rubber match of the series. The Griffs struck first with a three-run home run in the fourth inning. The Gaels responded with a solo home run in the bottom half of the frame. In the sixth, Canisius extended its lead to six runs with three RBI singles. The Griffs' pitching staff remained effective throughout, holding Iona to seven hits.
GAME SUMMARY
The Maroon and Gold ran into their first trouble in the top of the second inning, as a double and a bunt single put runners on the corners with one out. Sophomore Justin Trinidad worked out of the jam by inducing a pop out and a fly out to end the threat.
Iona threatened in the bottom half of the inning when consecutive singles from sophomore Kieran Kehoe and senior Anthony Zollo put runners on first and second. The Gaels were unable to capitalize, as the next two batters were retired to end the inning.
Both pitching staffs were sharp in the third, with neither team recording a hit. Canisius broke through in the top of the fourth with a three run home run to take its first lead of the game. In the bottom of the inning, sophomore Malachi Costello responded with a lead off home run to left field, putting Iona on the board and cutting the deficit to 3-1.
The Griffs delivered their biggest rally of the weekend in the top of the sixth, scoring four runs on three hits. The inning featured multiple RBI singles, extending the Canisius lead to six.
Redshirt sophomore Sean Stephenson tried to spark a response in the bottom of the sixth with a single, followed by another base hit from Costello. The one out rally was cut short by a strikeout and a fielder's choice.
With time running out, Zollo led off the bottom of the seventh with a single up the middle. Graduate student Chavis Conceicao drew a walk to put runners on first and second with one out, but the Gaels once again came up empty. Both pitching staffs kept the opposing offenses off the board the rest of the way, as Iona fell 7-1 in the rubber match.
TEAM STATS
- Gael pitchers issued only two walks.
- The Gael defense has had an error or less in their last five games.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Costello went 2-4 with a run and a RBI.
- Zollo batted 2-4.
- Senior Sean Davis pitched 2.0 innings, and struck out three of the seven batters faced.
- Graduate student Tyler Lender has not allowed a run single March 27.
UP NEXT
The Gaels return to action on Wednesday as they travel to Yale for their final non-conference game of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
