One bad inning can kill a team- tell that to the Stony Brook Softball team after Wednesday afternoon in New Rochelle.

The Iona Gaels put up eight runs in the second inning and there was no other scoring as the Seawolves were a victim of the NCAA’s mercy rule, ending the game in five innings.

Jane Sallen retired four of her first five batters and was nearly out of the second inning unharmed. There was a runner on second after Kristen Turner hit a ground-rule double to open the inning. After two outs were recorded in the inning, the inning went sharply south. Four straight singles, along with a walk, gave the Gaels a 4-0 lead and after another walk, Jane Sallen gave way to Allison Cukrov.

Things did not get much better when the reliever came in. Turner drove in a grand slam, clearing the bases and doubling the lead.

Stony Brook’s best chance to score was in the top of the fifth, when they loaded the bases with Olivia Mintun, Bria Green and Jessica Zeilman on base with two outs to try and avoid the mercy rule.

They were not able to, as Kellie Reynolds grounded out to the first baseman to end the game.

The Seawolves have won six of their last eight and will play a three-game conference series this weekend at UMBC.