SBU Sports: Softball secures complete-game shoutout in victory over Iona

Stony Brook softball shutout Iona, 2-0, on March 19 at University Field. Crimson Rice twirled a complete-game, two-hit shutout and Mia Vannelli powered the offense with a solo shot, the first of her collegiate career.

12 of the game’s first 13 batters were set down, with Iona tallying the lone hit over the first two full innings of play.

The Gaels advanced a runner to third base with two outs in the third, but Rice induced a grounder to short to neutralize the chance.

Stony Brook started the scoring in the bottom of the third. Malorie Hill, Kaiya Simpkins and Kyra McFarland all reached base after being hit by pitches. Naiah Ackerman plated the game’s first run with a single through the middle, but the Seawolves could not add anything more in the frame.

Vannelli added to the lead with her first collegiate homer in the fourth, putting Stony Brook ahead 2-0.

Rice retired 12 of the final 13 batters after being staked to a lead, allowing just one single over the final four innings, closing out a shutout victory.

“Really proud of our team for coming out and turning it around after yesterday and to play a complete ballgame today to get an important win for us,” head coach Megan T. Bryant said.

Up next, the team hosts Charleston this weekend in the CAA home-opening series. The three-game series begins on Friday, March 21. First pitch set for 1 pm at University Field.