Staten Island, NY - The Wagner baseball team earned a thrilling non-conference victory over Iona on Tuesday at SIUH Community Park, 8-7, to move to a perfect 5-0 at home to start the season.

After heading into the eighth inning trailing, 6-5, sophomore Zack Kent lifted the Seahawks to seven runs on a shallow single to center. Senior Chris Conniff padded the lead with a sacrifice fly in the next at-bat. Freshman Connor Roche tied the game at six with a single.

But the drama didn't stop there as the Gaels loaded the bases in the top of the ninth after cutting their deficit to one. Cue graduate student Alec Burnett, who struck out the final two batters of the game to clinch the victory.

Burnett earned his first save of the season, while junior Nate Garcia earned the win after firing three no-hit innings in relief.

The Seahawks used a strong first inning to take a quick 5-0 lead. A two-run double to right center by junior Bryce Phelps highlighted a strong first inning for the home team. Graduate student David Melfi and freshman Diego Tavarez followed Phelps with RBI hits in the inning.

However, Wagner was held scoreless from there, allowing Iona to get back into the game. A three-run home run in the fifth by the Gaels opened the door for them to steal the road game.

But Wagner had more firepower in its bats, leading to the three-run eighth and eventual save by Burnett.

Kent, Phelps and Tavarez each recorded two hits in the win, while freshman Griffin White delivered 2.1 strong innings in relief, allowing just one runner to reach via hit-by-pitch.

The Seahawks have another quick turnaround as they will head to Queens, NY, with a matchup at St. John's on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 pm.