Iona Clinches 2017 MAAC Softball Regular Season Title & No. 1 Overall Seed in Conference Championship
MAAC Sports
EDISON, NJ – Iona College (26-20, 15-5 MAAC) has clinched the 2017 MAAC Softball Regular Season title and are the No. 1 overall seed in the upcoming Championship. As the No. 1 seed, Iona serves as the host institution for the 2017 MAAC Softball Championship, which takes place May 10-14, from the Donald E. Walsh Field in New Rochelle, NY. This is the first MAAC Regular Season Championship for Iona since 2011.
The Gaels wrapped up the regular season with a spilt against Manhattan College on Sunday, May 7, to finish their conference slate (15-5). As a result of today's doubleheader split between Siena College (14-6 MAAC) and Niagara University (10-10 MAAC), Iona earned sole possession of the MAAC Regular Season Title and the top overall seed in the Championship.
Senior infielder Kristen Turner hit .367 (55-150) with 10 home runs and 43 RBI during the regular season for the Gaels. She slugged 15 doubles and scored 20 runs in 46 games played. The senior posted a .667 slugging percentage and a .396 on-base percentage. Turner is tied for third in the league in home runs, fourth in hitting, third in slugging percentage, tied for seventh in hits, third in RBI, tied for fourth in doubles, and third in total bases (100).
Sophomore pitcher Alana Evans is 16-5 with a 2.61 ERA (53 earned runs/142.0 innings pitched) in 27 appearances (20 starts). She has registered 148 strikeouts, 108 walks, and surrendered 96 hits during the regular season.
Evans had tossed 14 complete games and five complete game shutouts this season. She ranks first in the MAAC in wins, seventh in ERA, second in strikeouts, and fourth in innings pitched (144.0). The three-time MAAC Pitcher of the Week, tossed a no-hitter against Monmouth University on April 15 in a 4-0 victory. She went the distance with 10 strikeouts and five walks.
The Gaels are six-time MAAC Softball Champions and earned their last title in 2014. Only Canisius College (12) has claimed more MAAC Softball Championships than Iona.
For all information on the 2017 MAAC Softball Championship, visit maacsports.com/softball and be sure to follow the action on social media by using #MAACSoftball.
Tickets can be purchased for the 2017 MAAC Softball Championship by visiting maac.ticketleap.com.