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New Rochelle, NY –  Sophomore second baseman Taylor Beeson (Mesa, AZ/ Red Mountain) went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored, to lead the Wagner College softball team to a 5-1 non-conference win over Iona College in game one of today's doubleheader before the Gaels rallied late for a 4-3 win in the nightcap.

Today's split against their counterparts from the MAAC gives Wagner a 9-15 record on the season while the Gaels' game-two win snapped a seven-game losing steak and improved their season mark to 5-20.

Game One Recap: Wagner 5 Iona 1 
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Sophomore right-hander McKaleigh Goodale (Bradenton, FL/ Lakewood Ranch) picked up the victory in game one, evening her record at 4-4 in tossing her fourth complete game. The Sunshine state native went the distance, allowing just one run, while striking out five batters and scattering eight hits.

Wagner took control by seizing a 2-0 first-inning lead. After Beeson walked, senior shortstop Kelsey Parker (Lynnwood, WA/ Lynnwood) laced a single down the right field line to put runners on the corners. After junior catcher Brenda Bott (Fountain Valley, CA/ Fountain Valley) laid down a perfectly-executed sacrifice bunt to make it second and third, the Seahawks then took advantage of a fielding error by the Iona shortstop which allowed Beeson and Parker to score, making it a 2-0 game.

In the bottom of the first, Iona loaded the bases but Goodale was able to pitch her way out the jam, striking out Allison Hand swinging for the third out.

Wagner scored two more runs in the second inning in opening a comfortable 4-0 lead on a two-run home run over the left-centerfield fence from Beeson. Iona starter Jessica Harkness then walked three consecutive Seahawks with two outs before she was relieved by Christine Costello, who got the Gaels out of the inning by inducing designated player Beth Lewis (Ashburn, VA/ Stone Bridge) into a ground out to the shortstop.

Wagner picked up an insurance run in the top of the sixth on a Beeson RBI double to center with two outs, scoring sophomore Camille Kiyota (Kamuela, HI/ Hawaii Preparatory Academy), who had reached on a single while pinch-hitting for freshman Maite Reece (Convina, CA/ Gabrielino).

Iona scored its lone run in the bottom of the seventh on a Katie Newton triple that was followed by a Brianna King RBI single but Goodale and the Seahawk defense took over from there as Wagner recorded the 5-1 win.

Game Two Recap: Iona 4, Wagner 3
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In game two, Wagner gained control early, scoring two runs in the top of the second inning on a two-run homer by left fielder Laura Petri (Warminster, PA/ William Tenant) before Iona answered with a run in each of the third and fourth innings to tie it at 2-2.
 
Bott doubled to right center in the top of the fifth to score Parker and create a 3-2 lead before the Gaels notched two late runs in the bottom of the sixth and held on for the win.
 
Senior pitcher Samantha Bedker took the loss (2-10), despite posting a season-high 12 strikeouts in seven innings pitched. The senior hurled her fourth complete game of the season, allowing seven hits and four runs.
 
At the plate, the Seahawks produced six hits in the contest. Bott was 2-for-3 with one RBI while Petri went 1-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Beeson, Parker, and Goodale each finished with one hit apiece.
 
Wagner will return to action at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 11 when the Seahawks hosts Central Connecticut, the current Northeast Conference leader, in a conference doubleheader.

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