NORMAN, OK - The Iona College softball team concluded their 2011 campaign with a loss to Missouri State in the 2011 NCAA Regional elimination game. The Bears used a two run seventh to pull out a 4-2 victory over the Maroon & Gold.
The Bears opened their scoring with two runs in the first inning. After shortstop Kirstin Cutter walked to lead off the game, center fielder Tyler Porter reached on an Iona error. After a ground out put the runners on second and third, designated player Stevie Pierce singled to left field to drive in two.
In the bottom of the second, Iona cut the lead in half after senior pitcher Alyssa Maiese led off the frame with a home run to right center. With 13 home runs on the season, Maiese broke the single season home run record previously held by Liz Hammell, who hit 12 in 2005.
The Gaels knotted the game at two in the sixth. Sophomore center fielder Jodi Petersen doubled down the left field line to lead off the inning. Sophomore left fielder Eileen McCann followed with a line drive single to left to put runners on the corners. Maiese would fly the first pitch she saw to left field to drive in Petersen with a sacrifice fly.
The tie was short lived as the Bears scored twice in the top of the seventh. Pinch hitter Brentz reached on an Iona error. After a sacrifice bunt moved her to second, Cutter tripled past a drawn in outfield to put Missouri ahead 3-2. After junior Sarah Jackson relived Maiese, second baseman Christa Gammon singled with two outs to drive in the fourth run.
The Gaels would get the leadoff hitter on in the seventh, but the potential comeback was shortlived after a double play erased the base runner and a lineout ended the inning.
Maiese took the loss, allowing four unearned runs in 6.1 innings. She allowed five hits and struck out four to finish the season with a record of 12-9. Savannah Wiggins got the win, allowing six hits and two earned runs in seven innings to move to 8-4 on the year.
The Gaels conclude their 2011 season with a record of 31-22.