Box Score

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Paige Lloyd's two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth provided all the offense Siena needed in a 2-1 MAAC Tournament elimination game victory over Iona Thursday afternoon at the Demske Sports Complex in Buffalo. Amanda Gatt took care of the rest, limiting the Gaels to just one run in a complete-game gem in the circle.

The Saints advance to play in another elimination game Friday at 1:30 p.m. against third-seeded Manhattan which eliminated top-seed Canisius 2-1 late Thursday.

The victory is just the third postseason win for a program that has now won 20 games or more in five straight seasons after reaching that benchmark just once in its first 35 years of existence.

"That was Championship softball right there," Siena head coach Bill Lajeunesse told his team after the game. "We did what we had to do. We pitched well, we played great defense. We got a couple big hits when we needed them."

There weren't many hits to speak of until the Saints came to bat in the sixth. Stephanie Viggiano started the first real threat of the day for either team with a one-out triple into the left centerfield gap. Then Sammy Smaldone lined out, bringing Lloyd to the plate with two outs.

"My game plan today was to leave it all on the field, hit the ball as hard as I can," the senior slugger said. "I knew she was going to give me my pitch, and once I saw it, I was like: `All or Nothing, swing out of my shoes, and it went out.'"

Lloyd got full extension on an outside fastball and launched it well over the wall in left centerfield. Her teammates spilled onto the field, engulfing her as she reached the plate. But the game was far from over.

Ioan's top player Kristen Turner singled sharply to start the seventh, and after Chrsitine Costello grounded into a fielder's choice, Sarah Schultz singled through the right side to put the tying run on base with one out. Courtney Miller followed with a run scoring hit that made it 2-1 and put the tying run in scoring position. Gatt then went to work, getting Katie Newton to ground out to second, setting the stage from a dramatic finish.

Pinch hitter Tori Danner stepped to the plate with the tying run on third and the go-ahead run at second, but Gatt struck her out to end the game.

Siena made the most of its three hits, thanks to Lloyd's heroics. Iona had three of its five hits off Gatt in the seventh.

"Every Tournament win is important," Lajeunesse said. "That's another notch in our belt. Now, we live for tomorrow. Survive and advance."