WEST POINT, NY – The Iona College softball team dropped a 7-6 non-conference matchup to Army Tuesday afternoon at Army Softball Complex. After knotting the game in the top of the seventh inning, the Black Knights plated the winning run in the bottom of the frame.
Redshirt sophomore Christine Costello recorded three hits in the game, driving in a run and scoring once. Sophomores Ashlyn Morris, Kristen Turner and Katie Newton each recorded multi-hit efforts. Junior Sarah Schutz and freshman Tori Danner each connected for home runs in the game.
Army scored the first runs of the contest by plating four in the bottom of the second inning. A pair of wild pitches scored Emily Gray and Caroline Smith before Kasey McCravey doubled in two runs with a double to right center.
The Gaels cut into the deficit with three runs in the top of the fifth inning. Following a leadoff single by Morris, Schutz connected on her third home run of the season. Later in the frame, Costello drove in Turner with an RBI double to left field.
The Black Knights extended the lead to three, with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Karena Gonzalez scored on a RBI single by Alee Rashenskas before Kristen McPeek produced a run scoring groundout to second.
In the seventh, Iona tied the game on the first career home run by Danner. Senior Briana Schauer reached on a one-out walk, before Costello singled to center. Danner then pushed a drive over the left center field wall to even the contest at six.
Army scored the game’s final run in the seventh when McCravey drove in SJ Aversa with a bases loaded walk.
Black Knights starter Smith, who reentered the game in the seventh after being replaced in the fifth inning, recorded the final out of the frame for Army to earn the win. Junior Jordan Courage took the loss for the Maroon & Gold.
The Gaels are back in action Wednesday, when they travel to Fordham for a 3:00 pm first pitch.