March 23, 2007

Final Stats

Iona scored all six of its runs in the seventh inning, and Siena's ninth inning rally fell just short as the Gaels took the MAAC opener for both schools 6-5 in the Bronx Friday night. Siena starter Craig Chaput pitched six scoreless innings before being charged with all six of Iona's seventh inning runs.

Moises Rivera and Phil Cahill each had RBI singles in the sixth as the Saints broke a scoreless tie to take a 2-0 lead. Cahill finished as one of five Saints with a multi-hit game. Siena out-hit the Gaels 12-9.

Allie Abbatiello had the first big hit in the seventh for Iona, driving home two runs with a single to left centerfield. Andrew Wernicki followed with an RBI hit and the Gaels added an unearned run, completing the inning with a 6-2 lead.

Rick Seltzer singled home a run in the eighth and Maikel Hurtado relieved Chaput to keep the Gaels bats at bay, setting the stage for a ninth inning rally.

After the first two men were retired in the ninth, Chris Klepps was hit by a pitch and Jason DeFilippo followed with a single. Jake Willis then doubled home both runners, placing the potential tying run 180 feet from home plate. Seltzer was intentionally walked, and reliever Shawn Walsh got Rivera to ground into a fielder's choice to end the game.

Willis had three hits to lead Siena's offense. Seltzer, DeFilippo, Cahill and Eric Mruczek each had two hits for the Saints.

The two teams complete the series with a doubleheader Saturday on the Fordham campus at 5 p.m.