LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena Baseball rallied with a three-run eighth inning to complete the sweep of Iona with an 8-7 Senior Day triumph at Connors Park.
Ryan McGee capped a sensational week with four more hits highlighted by his second straight game-winning hit.
Siena (14-26, 9-9) led 3-0 through two innings in a seesaw affair which saw Iona (11-31, 5-10) respond with six unanswered runs to claim a 6-3 lead in the sixth. But the Saints chipped away with single runs in the sixth and seventh innings, before reclaiming the lead for good in the eighth.
On a double steal attempt,
Devan Kruzinski induced the throw down to second which allowed pinch runner
Scottie O'Bryan take off for home and score the tying run. McGee then delivered the go-ahead single to plate Kruzinski. Siena capped the three-run frame with what proved to be a crucial insurance run when
Evan St. Claire scored on a fielding error.
The Gaels got a run back in the ninth, but
Mike McCully shut the door to earn his second win of the season. The freshman tossed 3.2 strong innings of relief, scattering just two hits and a run.
McGee finished a stellar week which saw him go 13-22 at the plate over five games, punctuated with go-ahead hits in each of Siena's final two contests.
Brian Kelly added a pair of hits and RBI on his Senior Day, while classmate
Matt Hamel registered his 100
th career hit. Kelly extended his on-base streak to 26 consecutive games, while
Zach Durfee walked twice to increase his streak to 28 straight.
Frank Kinsey registered three hits and scored twice and Daniel Palermo added a pair of hits and RBI for Iona.
The Saints have now won five of their last six conference contests to move back to .500 in the MAAC. Siena holds a game and a half lead over both Monmouth and Niagara for the final MAAC Tournament spot with six league games remaining on the Saints' docket. Both the Hawks and Purple Eagles have nine MAAC games remaining, and Siena is set to host Niagara in what is shaping up to be a potentially decisive three-game series May 9-10 in Loudonville.
The Saints have the conference bye next weekend, but will host 2018 NCAA Tournament participant Northeastern for a three-game series at Connors Park which commences with doubleheader action Saturday at noon.
