April 22, 2006
Final Stats
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - The Saints' bats were in full swing as the rain slowly fell Saturday morning. Siena softball jumped out to a commanding 8-0 lead in the first game, adding two more runs to seal their victory. Sophomore Jennifer Granato was 3-for-3 in Game One with five RBI off a double and a home run. Niagara University answered in the second game by scoring two runs in the top of the first inning, eventually posting an insurance run in the fifth. Siena only answered with one score in the first; because of weather conditions, the field was deemed unplayable in the top of the sixth inning, final score 3-1.
Starting pitcher Tara Campbell struck out two Purple Eagles and induced a routine fly-out to bring the Saints to the plate. Sophomore Andrea Piela started the onslaught with a double to right field. She advanced to third on a wild pitch from Niagara starter Tiffany McCrory. After Jamie Walker walked, Granato launched a three-run home run to put the Saints on the board. Junior Kelly Boyle singled to center and advanced to second on a SAC bunt by Campbell. Christa Fasano grounded out to shortstop bringing up Aly DeMarino. After she walked, Jenny McNulty reached first on an error, plating Boyle and DeMarino.
Siena's lead opened up when Walker singled to score McNulty, also advancing Piela and Renee Clavette who both walked consecutively. Granato, already boasting three RBI, added two more when she singled to center field, plating Clavette and Piela.
Giving up eight runs over five hits, McCrory was replaced by Brooke Viola, who managed to force Boyle to fly out to end the inning.
After an uneventful Niagara second inning, the Saints returned to the batter's box intent on ending the game. With one out, Fasano tripled down the right field line and scored on a single by DeMarino. Flex player freshman Rachelle Morales pinched ran for DeMarino and scored after Clavette doubled to left center.
The Purple Eagles posted a run in the third when Lisa Baker doubled to left field. She scored on a single by Jennifer Yee. Their last run came in the top of the fifth when Kelly Flaherty doubled to left field. After a single by Baker to right center, Flaherty scored.
According to the eight-run mercy rule, the game was over after 4.5 innings of play. The final score was 10-2.
Niagara assured that the second game would not follow suit. Starting pitcher Jamie Piela gave up two runs off one hit in the top of the first to put the Purple Eagles in front 2-0. Siena quickly narrowed the deficit in the home half with an RBI double from Boyle.
Clavette replaced Jamie Piela as pitcher and threw a scoreless third and fourth innings. The Purple Eagles added the final blow in the top of the fifth as Baker singled through the left side and advanced to second on a SAC bunt by Heather Lohrman. Yee walked and eventually stole second. Nicole Sum reached on a fielding error, scoring Baker unearned.
The inclement weather slowly deteriorated the playing field and the umpire called the game in the top of the sixth inning. The final score was 3-1.
Sunday's MAAC doubleheader against Manhattan College is tentatively postponed, with a possible rain date for Monday, April 24.
