Willis Drives In Game-Winning Run As QU Comes Back Against Iona

Sunday, April 7

Hamden, Conn.

1:00 PM

Quinnipiac University

9-18, 3-6

Iona

4-24, 0-9

Iona

Quinnipiac

Photo by: Rob Rasmussen / P8Photos.com

Willis Drives In Game-Winning Run As QU Comes Back Against Iona

4/7/2024 5:15:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

HAMDEN, Conn. – CJ Willis delivered with a two RBI triple in the bottom of the eighth inning to help propel the Bobcats to the series sweep over the Iona Gaels on Sunday afternoon.

The Bobcats will improve to 9-18 and 3-6 in the MAAC to start the 2024 season, while Iona will go to 0-9 in conference play and 4-24 overall.

SCORE
Quinnipiac 6, Iona 4

HOW IT HAPPENED
Iona scored in the first inning after their leadoff hitter reached on a catcher's interference and came around after stealing third and scoring on a throwing error.

Quinnipiac struck right back in the bottom of the first as they scored two runs to take a one-run lead. CJ Willis reached on an infield single which allowed Jared Zimbardo to score to tie the game at one. Later in the inning, Matt DeRosa flew out to right field and Keegan O'Connor crossed the plate for the second run in the inning.

The Gaels evened up the game in the top of the third inning as a single through the left side to score the runner from second. Later in the inning, Iona took a 3-2 lead off a single up the middle with two outs in the frame.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Bobcats entered the frame down one, but made it a 3-3 game as Jared Zimbardo hit a sacrifice fly to center field and allowed Gabe Wright to score.

Iona took the lead in the sixth inning as a runner scored on a passed ball, giving them a 4-3 lead.

With the Bobcats down by one in the bottom of the eighth inning, CJ Willis stepped up with two outs and two runners on and delivered with a triple down the left field line to score both runners and give the Bobcats a 5-4 lead.

CJ's got that clutch gene 🧬#BobcatNation pic.twitter.com/OLVDULgJv2
— Quinnipiac Baseball (@TheQBaseball) April 7, 2024

The next batter, Christian Smith beat out an infield single and allowed Willis to cross home plate and give Quinnipiac a two-run lead.

NEWS AND NOTES

Five different Bobcats recorded hits in their win over the Gaels.
CJ Willis drove in three runs for the Bobcats, including the game-winning RBI with his triple in the eighth inning.
Willis finished the day going 2-for-5 and scored a run.
Matt DeRosa went 1-for-2 with two walks and one RBI.
Christian Smith picked up an RBI in the eighth as he finished his day going 1-for-4 at the dish.
Gabe Wright went 2-for-3, stole four bases, and scored two runs in the win.
Kyle Garbowski picked up multiple hits out of the seven spot in the lineup.
Jared Zimbardo and Keegan O'Connor both walked three times.
Matt Alduino was charged with the win after pitching the final two innings.
Andrew Cubberly struck out two batters in a scoreless seventh inning.

ON DECK

The Bobcats will stay home for a non-conference matchup with the Sacred Heart Pioneers on Tuesday, April 9^th before heading to the University of Rhode Island for a contest on April 10^th.