Following a disappointing 0-6 start to this season, the Iona College Baseball Team was able to turn around their season in Washington, D.C. last weekend.

 

To start off the weekend, the Gaels put senior Justin Wiley on the mound to slow down the George Washington Offense. 

 

Wiley did not disappoint the Gaels, going seven and two-thirds innings, allowing one run on six hits along with five strikeouts.

 

Meanwhile, Iona’s offense got off to a strong start with four runs scored in the first two innings.

 

The Gaels were able to get RBI hits from juniors James Beck and Chris Burke in the first inning. Senior Nick Rossetti drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and an error, leading to Iona picking up two more runs in the second inning.

 

Ionawas able to tack on two more runs in the fifth inning when Burke drove in a run with a fielder’s choice, and JT Torres was able to drive in another run with an RBI triple.

 

Despite giving up a run in the sixth inning, Iona was able to hold on to register a 6-1 victory, their first win of the season.

 

On the following day, Iona played in a doubleheader against George Washington, and was able to sweep the twin bill from the Colonials.

 

In the first game of the doubleheader, Iona gave up two early runs in the second inning before exploding with four runs in the third inning.

 

First, Torres was able to drive in senior Chris Griffin with an RBI double, before Beck was able to hit a three run home run to center field to give the Gaels a 5-2 lead.

 

Ionawas also able to get an RBI single from Burke in the eighth inning to hold onto a 6-3 win.

 

The winning pitcher was freshman Eddie Macaluso, who registered his first collegiate win in this game. Macaluso pitched six innings and only allowed three runs on five hits.

 

In the second game of the twin bill, Iona took an early lead in the second inning off a Burke homer to left center field.

 

George Washington was able to respond with two runs of their own, and appeared to have the win, needing just one more out to secure a victory.

 

However, sophomore Matthew Kriss was able to drive a two run double to left center field, driving home freshman outfielder Joe Smith and Torres to give the Gaels a 3-2 lead.

 

In the bottom of the inning, senior Brian Callahan was able to finish off his first win of the year by holding the Colonials at bay.

 

Now with a 3-6 record, Iona will travel out to the Philadelphia area for a three game set at the Villanova Classic, beginning with a contest with Saint Joseph’s on March 11.

 

The baseball team will look to get on a hot streak to start the season strong. The team can put their 0-6 record behind them to look to a strong run down the mid stretch of the season.

 

The pitching thus far has struggled, but if they can get more solid outtings, then the offense should be able to score enough runs to stay in games. 

 

The Gaels will be on the road until March 26 which is their first home game against Canisius. Until then, the team will continue to grow in hopes for a strong finish they know they are capable of.