New Rochelle, N.Y. (April 27, 2024)—Mount St. Mary's earned a much-needed sweep in its doubleheader at Iona on Saturday afternoon. The Mount captured the opening game, 4-2, before rolling to a 9-1 win in the nightcap. The sweep snaps a four-game losing streak, improving the Mount's record to12-28 overall and 5-14 in the MAAC.
The Mount grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first in game one.
Abigayle Perry walked, moved to second on a
Julia Vincent sacrifice, and scored on a
Tori Bowles double. Iona (14-26, 11-9 MAAC) took the lead in the bottom of the first on a Jamie Sheeran two-run homer.
Mount St. Mary's scored three times in the top of the fifth to regain the lead.
Lia Festa opened the inning with a solo home run to tie the score.
Gina Del Giorno doubled to left, and then scored on a Vincent two-base hit.
Kassidy Johnson singled to put runners on the corners, and
Elizabeth King doubled for a big insurance run for a three-run advantage.
Sophia Schmehl came on in relief in the bottom of the fifth, and she pitched three scoreless innings to earn her second save of the season.
Olivia Murphy earned the win, allowing two runs in four innings of work.
In game two, the Mount erupted for seven runs in the top of the second inning to take control of the game to erase an early 1-0 deficit. With one out, the Mount loaded the bases when King walked and Festa and
Laurenne Gallagher were each hit by a pitch. Del Giorno then drew a walk to even the score at 1-1. Perry followed with an RBI single, and Vincent walked to force home the third run of the frame. After a Bowles RBI base hit,
Kassidy Johnson doubled to the fence in left-center field to clear the bases for a 7-1 lead.
The Mountaineers added to the advantage with two runs in the top of the fourth. Vicent and Bowles led off the fourth with back-to-back base hits. Bowles was retired at second on a groundout for the first out of the inning, but Manni followed with a two-run double to give the Mount a commanding 9-1 lead.
Bowles sealed the win by crushing a three-run homer in the top of the fifth to put the Mount on top, 12-1. It is the ninth home run this season for Bowles, who leads the team with nine home runs and 35 RBI. She finished the game 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run and four RBI. Perry and Manni each added two hits and a double in the game while Vincent reached base all four times, going 1-for-1 with three walks and three runs scored.
Schmehl was the beneficiary of the Mount offensive outburst, picking up the win, allowing one run and four hits in 4.2 innings.
Maddie Coleman picked up the final out.
The teams complete the three-game series tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.
