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NEW ROCHELLE — The host Iona Gaels scored a pair of walk-off wins on Sunday afternoon, defeating Canisius 4-2 in eight innings before rallying for a 5-4 win in the second game of a MAAC doubleheader at Walsh Field. The wins move Iona to 14-12 overall and 4-0 in MAAC play, while the Golden Griffins slipped to 12-19 overall and 0-2 in conference action.
In the first game, Canisius got on the board first thanks to a solo homer by junior Moriah Harris to start the top-half of the fifth. After Iona knotted the game at 1-1 in the bottom-half of the fifth, the Griffs regained the lead at 2-1 in the seventh on the power of an RBI-single by freshman Sydney Kreimann, which allowed Harris to score from second base.
The Gaels were able to force extra innings in the first game of the twinbill when Kristen Turner singled to center to push teammate Ashlyn Morris across as the tying run. In the eighth, Canisius left two runners on base, and the Gaels ended up sealing the victory a short time later after Kimmie Chiapparelli ripped a two-run homer over the fence in left to give the Gaels the 4-2 win.
Canisius senior Lindsey Silfer had three of the Grffs’ seven hits in the loss, while Kreimann added two hits and an RBI as well. Harris ended the first game by going 1-for-3 with a home run, an RBI and two runs scored. Junior Madi Weathers took the loss in the circle after she allowed four runs on eight hits to go with three walks and two strikeouts in 7.1 innings of work.
In the nightcap, Canisius wasted little time scoring, posting three runs in the top-half of the first frame. Sophomore Lauren Castro doubled and later scored on an RBI-single to the gap in left center. Following a double off the bat of freshman Cassie Ho, Harris scored on an error by Iona to make the score 3-0 in favor of the Blue and Gold. Iona got two runs back in the bottom of the first to make the score 3-2, and then the Gaels tied the game at 3-3 in the fifth with a single marker.
Canisius regained the lead at 4-3 in the top of the seventh as Castro ripped her team-leading sixth homer of the season over the fence in left. However, Iona was not done scoring, and the home team walked off with its second win of the day in the bottom of the seventh when Turner drilled a double to the gap in left-center that pushed across two runs.
Castro went 2-for-3 with a homer, a double, two RBI, two runs scored and a walk in the losing effort, while Harris went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for the Griffs. Junior hurler Erika Mackie was issued the loss after she gave up five runs on seven hits to go with two strikeouts and three walks.
Canisius will travel to Fairfield for a MAAC doubleheader on Monday. First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m.
