NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona College softball program dropped their first two contests of the 2016 season; suffering a tough 8-2 extra inning loss to Lehigh, and a 6-3 defeat to the host UNCG.
The Mountain Hawks were the first opponent of the season for the Maroon & Gold. Senior Carly Argyle led Iona with eight innings of one-run dominance as the two teams locked in a close 1-1 contest into extra innings.
The first run of the game came across the plate in the top of the first; junior utility Vicky Lattanzio drove in the first with a single through the right side, forcing sophomore Nicole Yozzo across the plate.
The Gaels answered the call in the bottom of the third innings. Freshman Marisa Gergel doubled into left center with two outs to put Iona in a position to score. Junior Katie Newton gullwing with a single to the right field, allowing for the opportunity for Gergel to score on a fielding error by the Mountain Hawks right fielder, sophomore McKenzie Velasquez.
The score would remain scoreless until Lehigh was able to bust through Argyle’s performance in the circle when the ninth inning came around; the Mountain Hawks scored seven runs in the final frame on four hits, anchored by a three-run homerun from sophomore catcher Carolyn Wright.
In an attempt to complete an improbable comeback, the Maroon & Gold scored one run in the ninth; senior Sarah Schutz knocked home junior Kristen Turner.
Argyle finished the game pitching 8.1 innings, allowing 11 hits, five earned runs; the senior struck out eight and walked two.
Gergel, Newton, and Schutz all combined with two hits apiece to total Iona’s sum of six. Senior Christine Costello, and Turner each left three runners on base.
The second game of the day came against the host, the University of North Carolina Greensboro. The Spartans earned the 6-3 win, using a pair of early rallies as a brace in route to victory.
Costello started the second game in the circle for Iona. UNCG was able to score two runs in both the first and third innings to build an early four-to-one lead. The Gaels were able to get on board in the top of the third when senior Brianna King hit the Maroon & Gold’s first homerun of the season.
Iona’s other runs came via an RBI single from sophomore Courtney Miller in the fourth, and a homerun via the second-year outfielder in the seventh.
Costello finished game for the Gaels, allowing six run, six hits and three walks.
Senior Nicole Thomas had two hits for UNCG, driving in one run, and scoring one of her own.
The UNCG Tournament continues tomorrow at 9:30 am with a matchup against the Youngstown State. Iona then takes on UNCG against at 2:30 PM.
