The Iona College softball team began the 2010 fall season at the St. Joseph’s Tournament in Ambler, Pa. on Sept. 18.

New Head Coach Roni Rivera stressed the importance of the fall season by saying, “The fall season is crucial to the development of the team and preparation for the spring. These games give us an opportunity to implement the skills we have been working on and a chance to see where else we need to improve.”

Coach Rivera is also excited about the upcoming spring season and the future of the program.

The Gaels are coming off a season where they won the 2010 MAAC Softball Championship and received an automatic bid to the 2010 NCAA Division I Championship.

Coach Rivera is looking for a continuation of last season’s performance and said, “There is so much to look forward to. I look forward to each day that I get to work with the team.  We have a talented, dedicated and fun group. As long as we continue to work hard and improve, we will accomplish great things.”

The Gaels immediately proved there is much to look forward to by sweeping the first two games of the fall season.

In the first game, Iona defeated Temple 10-1 in five innings. Then in the second game, the Gaels defeated Caldwell 4-3.

In the first game against Temple, the Gaels were led by senior Alyssa Maiese, who had three doubles in three at-bats, while driving in four runs. Sophomore Eileen McCann provided more offense for the Gaels by driving in three runs.

In the circle, junior Sarah Jackson pitched four strong innings allowing only one hit and one run, while striking out six. Then Junior Deane Algeo was able to shutdown Temple with a scoreless fifth inning.

In the second game, Iona was led by solid pitching from McCann and Maiese. McCann also led the offense with a crucial bases loaded double that drove in two runs. Algeo and sophomore Marisa Newman also helped Iona’s offense with an RBI apiece.

Coach Rivera commented on the team’s positive start by saying, “We were really excited to play last weekend.  We had been working very hard for the previous two weeks in practice, and it was great to finally compete.  I was happy with our explosive start with a win against Temple and glad to get a W against Caldwell.  I saw a lot of positive things and areas for improvement.

The Gaels will continue the fall season with games at the Carol Weil Tournament.