Schutz drives in five runs, Iona wins Metro Atlantic title

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Sophomore Sarah Schutz drove in five runs with a homer and a double, and junior righthander Carly Argyle tossed a one-hit shutout over five innings, to lead Iona o a 8-0 decision against Manhattan on Sunday to win the 2014 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Softball Championship at Fairfield University’s Alumni Stadium.

Along with the 2014 conference crown, Iona will receive the MAAC’s automatic qualifying bid to the upcoming NCAA Division I Softball championship.

Sarah Schutz, a sophomore third baseman, helped Iona break out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first with a two-RBI double. Schutz added a three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth that put the Gaels on top 6-0.

Carly Argyle, who was named the championship’s Most Outstanding Player, threw five strong innings for the Gaels, allowing just one hit and striking out three. The victory improved her record 15-8.

After Manhattan stranded two runners in the top of the first, the Gaels broke through with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Allison Hand led off with a walk, and after a strikeout, moved to second on Eileen McCann’s single. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch. After a fly out to left field, Schutz delivered her first blow with a double to left for two RBI. Katie Jansson followed with another double to drive in Schutz for the Gaels’ third run.

The Gaels erupted for five more runs in the bottom of the fifth. Schutz clubbed a a three-run homer to left, scoring Ashlyn Morris, who had walked, and Kristen Turner, who reached on a single. After Katie Jansson followed with a base hit, Brianna Schauer put one over the left field wall for a two-run homer to end the game.

The Iona offensive attack reached Manhattan pitching for 10 hits, including two doubles and two homers. Schutz collected three hits in three at-bats, scored twice and drove in five runs for Iona (24-22). Jansson had two hits and scored a run for the Gaels, and Schauer  had two RBI.

Amanda Paxson collected the Jaspers (26-29) lone hit, a double in the first  inning. Of the five innings she threw, Argyle retired the Jaspers in order twice.

Argyle was 3-0 in the Championship with a 2.14 ERA to earn Most Outstanding Player honors. She also hit .462 at the plate, with six hits, four runs and two RBI.

It was Iona’s sixth MAAC softball championship, its four since 2010 and its first since 2012. The Jaspers reached the final for the third time, and the first time since 1999.