Manhattan (17-23, 6-8 MAAC) lost the first contests against the Gaels (14-20, 9-3) by a score of 3-2.
Game 1: Iona 3, Manhattan 2
- The Jaspers' starting pitcher Jessie Rising (Little Egg Harbor, NJ / Pinelands) went a complete game, striking out three and giving seven hits.
- Iona jumped out to a 2-0 lead early, notching two runs on three hits in the bottom of the first.
- The Gaels collected another run in the bottom of the fourth, when pitcher Kara Zazarro doubled to right center for an RBI.
- The Jaspers got the offense going in the top of the fifth, earning two runs on three hits in the inning. Moore singled to left field to load the bases, before Christine Gebhardt (Middletown, NJ / Middletown North) singled up the middle for two RBI, cutting the Iona lead to one at 3-2.
- With the score the same in the top of the seventh, the Jaspers got one on when Pitney walked, her second of the game.
- But Zazarro was able to register two more strikeouts to end the game with a one-run win for Iona.
- Kayla McDermott (Garnerville, NY / Stony Point) started the game in the pitcher's circle for Manhattan. She earned her third shutout of the season, striking out six over 7.0 innings and giving up four hits.
- With two on in the top of the first, Moore homered to left field for her third home run of the season.
- The Jaspers nabbed another run in the top of the fifth, when Dominique Palagruto (Sewell, NJ / Washington Township) doubled to left center with one on for an RBI.
- Manhattan added another for good measure in the top of the seventh, when Victoria Alonso (Stony Point, NY / North Rockland) got a double of her own with one on to make it 5-0 Jaspers.
- The Gaels were able to get one baserunner on in the bottom of the seventh, after Natalia Meray doubled to left center. But McDermott forced a fly out from the next batter and a struck out the final one to put the Manhattan win in the books.
The Jaspers will travel to Sacred Heart for a mid-week, non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday, April 23, starting at 3:00 pm.