April 18, 2014
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LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - After traveling more than 11,000 miles and playing their first 34 games of the season on the road, Siena Baseball finally returned home Friday. And the Saints would make the most of their homecoming. Matt Gage and Ed Lewicki both spun gems as the Saints swept Iona by scores of 3-2 and 2-0 in doubleheader action.
Game One
The opener was a pitcher's duel between both staff aces, Gage for Siena (12-24, 9-2) and Kenny Deitrich for Iona (6-21, 3-8). The Gaels got to Gage for single runs in both the first and fourth innings and maintained a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Down to their final three outs, the Saints mounted a rally. After the first two batters reached, Dan Swain hit a routine grounder that ate up the second baseman and plated John Rooney.
Iona closer John Daddino then relieved Deitrich and struck out the first two batters he faced. Down to his final strike, the Saints' last hope Vincent Citro came through in the clutch. The senior leadoff hitter looped a double into the gap in right center field scoring both pinch runner Mike Williams and Swain as the Saints walked off with the win.
Gage was solid if not spectacular for the Saints, striking out 10 in going the distance while allowing just six hits and two runs (one earned). All three runs against Deitrich were unearned as he allowed eight hits and struck out five in eight-plus innings of work.
Game Two
The nightcap was another well pitched performance between the Saints' Ed Lewicki and Iona's Mariano Rivera, son of the famed New York Yankees closer.
Brian Fay, who went a combined 4-for-6 in the doubleheader, opened the scoring with a two-out RBI single in the fourth. Mike Allen beat out an infield hit in the bottom of the fifth to make it 2-0 to give Lewicki all the support he needed.
Lewicki went the first six innings, scattering four hits and struck out five. Neil Fryer came on for the seventh to earn his fourth save of the spring.
Rivera went the distance for Iona, allowing seven hits and two earned runs.
With the sweep, the Saints have won five in a row and remain atop the MAAC Standings. Siena looks to finish the sweep of Iona tomorrow at noon.
