March 31, 2011
Box Score
Lately, the softball rivalry between Siena and UAlbany hadn't been much of one. The Great Danes came into Thursday's doubleheader at Albany Field having won their last 15 matchups with the Saints, and extended the streak with a 7-3 win in the opener. However, Siena fought their way to a split, winning the nightcap 2-1 in eight innings.
The Saints (10-13) fell victim to a four-run onslaught in the second inning of game one, and simply could not recover as Jessika - Jo Sandrini took just her fourth loss of the 2011 season. Siena managed just four hits in seven innings, with sophomore Shannon Jones recording two of them. Jones and senior Courtney Brinkman both hit solo home runs in the losing effort.
The second game also featured UAlbany jumping out to an early lead, as the Great Danes led 1-0 after one inning of play. However, junior Amanda Filippazzo came through with one of the strongest outings of her career, going the distance in the eight-inning thriller and allowing just two hits the entire game (and only one after the first inning).
While Filippazzo silenced the Danes, the Saints pecked away, tying the game in the third inning after a Jones sacrifice fly scored junior Lindsey McKeever. Siena out-hit UAlbany 7-2, but would not take advantage of a scoring opportunity until the eighth inning of play.
Jessika - Jo Sandrini was placed on second to start the inning, as per softball regulations in the event of extra innings. She advanced to third on a Jones sacrifice, bringing up junior Nastasha Powlowsky. The catcher hit a hard ground ball down the line that went under the glove of the third baseman. Sandrini scored on the play, and the Saints had their first lead of the day.
It would be tested in the bottom half of the inning, though, as UAlbany started the inning with a runner on second as well. A bunt moved the tying run to third, but the Saints took advantage of a botched squeeze attempt, and the baserunner was tagged out at the plate to stop the rally.
One out later, Siena celebrated their first win over UAlbany in their last 16 games. For reference, the Saints had not topped the Great Danes since March 27, 2007, in what was also the second game of a doubleheader at Albany Field.
The momentum comes at a great time for the Saints, as Siena travels to Marist on Saturday to begin MAAC play.
