On Feb. 26 and 27, the Iona softball team competed at the Spartan Invitational in Norfolk, Va. The Gaels were anchored by the dominant pitching of senior Alyssa Maiese and junior Sarah Jackson on the first day of action.

Maiese opened up game one for the Gaels against Morgan State as the Gaels offensive attack started the first inning with two runs. Sophomore  Jodi Petersen singled, and senior Tessa Earley got on base with a bunt single. Maiese was able to give some run support as she knocked in the two runners with a two run double to right center.

Earley was back on base in her next at-bat as she singled again in the third inning and advanced to second on a bunt. Freshman Katie Jansson gave the Gaels a 3-0 lead as she hit Earley in with a single.

Morgan State would score in the seventh, but Maiese finished her afternoon off with a four hit, five strikeout, one run performance in the Gaels 3-1 win.

In game two against Fairleigh Dickinson, senior Melanie Gettins got the Gaels on the board in the fourth inning with a double down the left field line that scored Jansson. Following the run scoring double, junior Deanne Algeo hit a single to rightfield that scored Gettins.

The two runs scored were enough for the win as the Gaels had their ace Jackson pitching. Jackson controlled the opposition by overpowering the Knights for seven innings, while piling on 14 strikeouts. This was her second highest strikeout total in a game. As a freshman, she fanned 16 against Fairleigh Dickinson.

In the second day of action, the Gaels split a pair of games. The Gaels shutout Monmouth 4-0, and then were shutout themselves by George Washington 3-0.

Pitching for the Gaels once again, Jackson earned a second complete game shutout during the weekend. Jackson was dominant, striking out seven and surrendering only two hits to Monmouth.

The Gaels quickly got on the board as they scored early and secured enough run support for a win. Petersen led off the first inning with a solo shot to center field, and in the second inning, sophomore Eileen McCann hit her first homer of the year to put the Gaels up 2-0. In the fifth, the Iona offense produced two more runs as Earley and Gettins scored off of a Maiese single.

In the second game, George Washington capitalized on some rare offensive struggles by the Gaels. In the fourth and fifth innings, George Washington took their opportunity to build a 3-0 lead that would become the final score.

Maiese took the tough loss after only giving up two earned runs in four innings.

For her superlative pitching, Jackson was honored with the MAAC Pitcher of the Week award. Her pitching line for the 2011 season includes a perfect 4-0 record with four complete game wins and an earned run average of 1.85.

Jackson said, “It feels great to be off to a 4-0 start. I am excited for what the rest of the season has in store for us because it is still early. I am thrilled to be Pitcher of the Week, and I definitely would not have gotten it without my teammates behind me playing great defense.”

Head Coach Veronica Rivera said, “My expectation is that we will continue to improve daily and compete in every game. I expect us to get the most out of every practice, at bat and defensive opportunity. This is a great group of hard working women. They know how to have fun and how to take care of business. We can accomplish big things if we stay hungry and focused.”

The Gaels are defending MAAC Champions and are the preseason favorite to repeat.