Dec. 25, 2014
As we count down the final days of the year, we take a look back at the top Siena Athletics' moments of 2014. Over the final 10 days of the year we will count down the Top-10 Moments of 2014, continuing today with Moment #7.
The Moment
May 8 - Senior captain Jessika - Jo Sandrini hurled a complete game three-hit shutout as fourth seeded Siena Softball picked up just its second-ever MAAC Tournament win, eliminating host and No. 2 seed Fairfield 4-0. With what proved to be their final victory of the spring, the Saints finished with program records of 29 wins and 13 MAAC victories in achieving their first winning season since 1988.
Why We Loved It
The Saints continued to reach unprecedented heights under fourth-year head coach Bill Lajeunesse. A year after winning a share of the program's first MAAC Regular Season Championship, Siena took the next step in 2014 shattering their all-time wins record by seven victories while earning just the program's second-ever postseason win.
Behind the Scenes
Siena enacted revenge with its win over Fairfield. The Saints went a perfect 3-0 against the Stags during the spring and eliminated the No. 2 seed and tournament hosts from the MAAC Championships. Fairfield had ended the Saints' season each of the previous two years, eliminating Siena from the 2013 MAAC Championships and sweeping the Green and Gold on the final day of the 2012 season to deny the Saints a Tournament berth.
Did You Know?
Sandrini concluded her stellar career as arguably the greatest player in Siena Softball history. In the circle, she graduated as the Saints' all-time leader in wins (55), strikeouts (483) and complete games (67) and at the plate she ranked amongst the program's all-time leaders in every major statistical category. Just two days prior to Moment #7, Sandrini was named Siena College's Female Student Athlete of the Year.
Quotable
"J.J. made a statement today. She didn't want to make this game her last. Our goal was to get the ball on the ground and make things happen offensively."-Head Coach Bill Lajeunesse
Relive the Moment
Sandrini Carries Saints Over Fairfield