The Iona College softball team hosted a doubleheader against non-conference foe Lafayette at the Rice Oval on April 17.

In game one, senior pitcher Alyssa Maiese pitched a complete game shutout in a 4-0 Gael victory, while in game two, junior Deanne Algeo completed the sweep with an 8-2 victory.

In the opening match, after three innings of scoreless ball from both sides, the Gaels put the first run of the game on the board in the bottom of the fourth.

Freshman Katie Jansson reached first on an infield error and then stole second to be in scoring position.

Junior Allyssa James then lined a 1-1 pitch to left to put Iona up 1-0.

In the fifth, Maiese would continue her shutout by retiring the side, and the Iona offense would provide run support in the bottom half of the inning.

Junior Chelsea Sheehan led the charge with a lead off single to center, and Algeo would then reach on a Lafayette error that advanced Sheehan to third.

With sophomore Eileen McCann batting, Iona called a double steal, with Algeo stealing second and Sheehan stealing home.

McCann would then single to put runners on the corners, and sophomore Jodi Petersen brought in the second run of the inning with a groundout to short, securing a 3-0 lead for Iona.

In the sixth, the Gaels tacked on the final run when Sheehan singled to right field to drive in senior Tierney Markou.

Markou pinch ran for senior Melanie Gettins after she singled.

Maiese pitched a gem, producing seven strong innings that included three hits and two walks.

In her dominant performance, she also struck out nine.

In game two, the Gaels were anchored by an offensive charge and a complete game win by Algeo.

The visiting Leopards quickly got on the board early and jumped to a 1-0 lead in the first.

The Lafayette lead, however, was brief as the Gaels piled on three runs in the bottom frame.

Starting off the rally, McCann walked and then moved to second on a passed ball.

The next batter, Petersen, would then get walked and advanced to second on a passed ball, while McCann moved to third.

A single by Maiese drove in McCann from third to put the Gaels on the board. Petersen would then give Iona the lead on a wild pitch and scored from third.

Next, Maiese advanced to third on a groundout and would then also score eventually on a wild pitch.

In the third, the Gaels would continue the offensive pressure.

With the bases loaded, Sheehan drove in junior Melanie Hay with a fielder’s choice to second.

In the fifth, the Gaels would pile on three more runs.

In the fifth Maiese singled to the pitcher, and Jansson would reach on an error to put runners on first and second.

The next batter, Gettins, homered to deep left center to give the Gaels a commanding 7-1 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth, a Maiese single up the middle would score Markou to give the Gaels an 8-1 lead.

Lafayette would score their second run in the seventh on an RBI ground out by first baseman Madeline Allen.

Maiese pitched a very strong outing for the Gaels, allowing three hits and two runs in seven innings.

 The Gaels will finish off conference play against Siena and Manhattan and look to defend their MAAC title on May 12 at the MAAC Championship at Marist College.