BUFFALO, NY – The sixth seeded Iona College softball team defeated third seeded Manhattan 10-0 in six innings in the opening round of the 2015 MAAC Championship Wednesday afternoon at Demske Sports Complex.
Sophomore Kristen Turner registered three hits in the win, and drove in a game high four runs. Junior Sarah Schutz drove in three runs and collected three hits, while sophomore Ashlyn Morris picked up three hits and scored twice. In the circle, sophomore Christine Costello recorded her fifth shutout of the season, scattering just five hits over six frames while striking out eight.
After four scoreless innings, the Gaels put the game away with seven runs in the fifth inning. The seven runs were plated with two outs and without the aid of an extra base hit.
Sophomore Kelsey Long started the rally with a single up the middle, and senior Allison Hand got on by way of a hit by pitch. Morris reached with a single to load the bases, before a single by right by Turner brought in the game’s first two runs.
Costello singled to drive in Morris, chasing Manhattan starter Amy Bright. Sophomore Katie Newton walked to reload the bases. Schutz delivered a two run single to right, chasing home Turner and Costello.
With runners on the corners, freshman Courtney Miller plated Newton with a single to right center to move the Gaels ahead 6-0. With Manhattan on its third pitcher of the inning, junior Brianna King drew a walk to load the bases for the third time in the frame. Long followed with a single up the middle, scoring Schutz with the seventh run of the inning.
The Iona bats stayed awake in the sixth inning. Morris led off with a single before Turner connected on her 11th home run of the year, matching her output of a season ago. With two outs in the inning, Schutz collected her fifth long ball of the year.
The Jaspers loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth inning, needing three runs to continue the game. Costello responded by forcing a foul out to third to end the game.
The Gaels are back in action Wednesday morning at 9:00 am against second seeded Fairfield.