Gaels Fall at New Mexico State 7-5 in Series Opener

Brendan Smith

The Iona Gaels traveled to New Mexico this weekend hoping the warm weather would wake up the bats. Instead, New Mexico continued their torrid offense, besting the Gaels by a final score of 7-5.

Senior ace Stephen Hansen earned the starting nod for Iona, holding a potent Aggies offense to two runs over six innings, striking out seven batters. However, sophomore Drew Helmstetter was unable to hold a two-run lead, allowing four runs (one earned) while recording just two outs.

On offense for the Gaels, Stetson transfer Jake Liberatore continued his strong start to the season, homering on the very first pitch of the game, putting the Gaels ahead 1-0. After a home run by Nick Gonzales in the bottom of the inning, Iona freshman Tyler Cannon launched his first career dinger, driving in Jake Field to give Iona a 3-1 lead. With the Gaels ahead 4-1 heading to the bottom of the sixth, two unearned runs cut the lead to one. Senior Stephen Furman answered the call, delivering a 2-out RBI single, plating the final run of the night for Iona.

A poor bottom of the seventh sealed Iona's fate. Three separate singles off Helmstetter allowed for four Aggies' runs, which proved to be the knockout punch.

New Mexico State closer Alex Reyes worked around two hits and a walk in his two innings of work, earning the save. Allen Mitchell earned the win, giving up one run over two innings of relief.

In the losing effort, Iona reliever James Sharkey pitched 1.1 shutout innings, with his fastball reaching 96 MPH on the stadium gun. The Gaels' offense was paced by Liberatore, who went 3-5 with a home run and a double.

The Gaels return to action with a doubleheader on Saturday followed by a single game on Sunday to wrap the weekend series.