NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona College softball program could not get over the hump on Thursday afternoon, falling in a pair of one run contests, 3-2 and 1-0.
GAME 1: Saint Mary’s 3, Iona 2
The Gaels doubles their hits total from yesterday’s loss to Sacramento State, but still could not rally enough offense to muster out a competitive win over Saint Mary’s in game one of the doubleheader.
Junior outfielders Ashlyn Morris, Kelsey Long, senior pitcher Christine Costello, and catcher Brianna King each recorded one hit for Iona.
Costello went six innings, allowing three runs, only one earned, on eight hits and one walk. The Maroon & Gold defense was not its stellar self, committing three errors in the contest. The first Saint Mary’s run crossed the plate in the opening frame on a throwing error by junior shortstop Katie Newton.
Long homered in the third to tie the game up at one, and after SMC took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth, King knocked a second Iona homer out of the park to tie the game heading into the bottom of the sixth.
Saint Mary’s took the decisive 3-2 lead in their final at-bat when senior Loralie Fitzpatrick crossed the plate on an error committed by Long in centerfield.
Junior Katie Moss started the game in the circle for Saint Mary’s going 5.2 innings, and senior LuJane Mussadi came in to record the save for the opposing Gaels.
GAME 2: Saint Mary’s 1, Iona 0
Sophomore Jessica Harkness pitched one of her best games of the season, but was unfortunate to not come away with a deserving win. Mussadi, who had the save in game one, pitched seven innings of shutout softball, allowing just two hits, striking out four.
The lone run scored on a solo homerun hit by senior designated player Shannon Low in the bottom of the fifth inning. Saint Mary’s had just three hits on the day, the other two coming off the bat of senior infielder Katelyn Mamizuka.
The two Iona hits were batted by junior Kristen Turner, and Newton.
With the two losses today, Iona enters the Aggie Tournament on Friday, March 25 riding a seven game losing streak. The Maroon & Gold have scored just three runs over their last four games, and a combined eight in the past six games.
