Softball Defeats Iona in Six Innings

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The Canisius softball team grabbed a 10-2 win in six innings versus Iona in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action Sunday at Donald E. Walsh Field in New Rochelle, N.Y.

The teams were scheduled to play a doubleheader, but with the Golden Griffins leading in game two by a score of 2-0 after the top of the first before the nightcap was called off due to rain.

Canisius moved to 7-6 on the season with the victory, while Iona moved to 9-6.

GAME 1 | BOX SCORE PDF

The Griffs got off to a hot start early when freshman Gianna Fazzolari, who finished with seven RBI on the weekend, smacked a two-run single into right field, giving Canisius a very early lead.

In the top of the second, senior Kara Paradowski extended the lead to 3-0 for the Blue and Gold with a single through the left side, plating freshman Sydney Costan.

The Gaels got on the board in the bottom of the second when Jamie Sheeran hit a lead-off home run to left-center field, making it a 2-1 contest.

After a quiet third inning, Canisius was able to extend the lead in the top of the fourth, scoring three runs to expand its lead to 6-1. The Griffs took advantage of a pair of errors by the Gaels to plate the first two runs of the frame before a single from Costan to left field brought home the final run of the inning.

The Griffs added a single run in the fifth when senior Erin Hufford scored on a double steal attempt before scoring three more runs on a pair of bases-loaded walks and a wild pitch in the top of the sixth to build a 10-1 advantage

Sheeran continued to power the Gaels offense with a RBI single in the bottom of the sixth, but it was not enough, as junior pitcher Alexis Churchill, struck out the final two batters to close out the game in six innings.

Churchill earned her second win of the season, fanning eight batters, walking one, and allowing only one earned run over six innings of work in the circle.

Post-Game Comments from Head Coach Kim Griffin
"It was a gutsy and gritty performance in the circle for Alexis Churchill in tough weather conditions. She kept Iona's hitters off balance while our hitters were patient at the plate and made good adjustments. It was an overall great team win."

Game Notes
• Canisius improved its all-time record against Iona to 42-22 with Sunday's victory.
• With Sunday's victory, the Griffs are off the best start in conference play since the 2016 campaign.
• The victory over Iona is the first time Canisius has scored double-digit runs in consecutive games versus the same opponent since defeating St. Bonaventure in a non-conference doubleheader on April 23, 2019.
• Nine Canisius players had a base hit during Sunday's contest.
• Three separate Griffs earned stolen bases in the contest.

Up Next
The Griffs finish their current road swing with a four-game series at Siena April 13-14. First pitch for the Tuesday's doubleheader is set for 2 p.m. and Wednesday's doubleheader will begin at noon. All four games are set to take place at Siena Field in Loudonville, N.Y.

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