April 30, 2006
Final Stats
Matt Gidaly's fifth inning grandslam capped off a six-run inning and Jake Willis finished off a monster week with three hits and four RBI as Siena coasted to an easy 16-1 win over Iona behind Matt Moberg Sunday in Loudonville. The win completed a three-game series sweep in which the Saints out-scored the Gaels 34-4 and helped the team even up its MAAC record at 9-9.
The Gales (8-34/4-14) scored the game's first run in their first at bat as Nick Conte drove home Allie Abatiello with a single through the left side of the infield. It was the only run Moberg allowed.
The freshman southpaw picked up his third complete game of the season, improving to 4-3 on the hill. He allowed just six hits and struck out five.
The Siena (18-24-1/9-9) offense produced three huge innings, beginning with a four-run third. Willis doubled home two runs and Seltzer and Hildenbrand each doubled home another. Hildenbrand singled home a run to start the Saints' rally in the fifth, and Gidaly's blast made the score 10-1, chasing starter Matt Costello (2-7) from the game.
Siena added six more runs in the seventh. Brian Schmotzer's pinch-hit single began the rally and Willis, Chris Klepps, Hildenbrand and Jason DeFillipo all added run-scoring hits in the inning.
Willis and Hildenbrand each had three hits for the Saints. Rick Seltzer and DeFillipo added two a piece. Matt Callahan and Ralph Marzella had two hits for Iona.
The 15-run win completed a perfect 5-0 week in which the Siena offense ruled. The team batted .383 on the week and averaged 14 runs per game. Hildenbrand hit .643 in four games played with a homerun and seven RBI. Willis had 13 hits in 24 at bats (.542) raising his team-leading average to .388.
The Saints also climbed back in the MAAC chase with three conference weekends remaining beginning Saturday at Marist. In the meantime, the Saints will play at Rhode Island Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
