Siena Softball was unable to overcome a middle-inning surge in their second-ever matchup with Central Michigan Friday afternoon, falling to the Chippewas, 9-1, to open play at the Madeira Beach Invitational III in Madeira Beach, Florida.

After spending the week training down south, the Saints (2-4) opened their second straight weekend of play in the Sunshine State with three scoreless innings of ball, led by junior Maddie McMahon's three stakeouts in the circle. CMU broke through on the board in the fourth with an RBI single to right field, but the Saints quickly answered in the following frame, with senior captain Madysen Cossack singling up the middle to score Patricia Kalesse.

The Chippewas would take over in the home half of the fifth and quickly steal the game away, driving in four runs in three consecutive batters thanks to a double to centerfield, and error in the same spot and a two-run homer to left. Central Michigan closed out the contest in the bottom of the sixth with a trio of insurance runs, which included a solo home run, effectively ending the game before the seventh.

McMahon (2-3) took the loss after spending five innings in the circle, while freshman Haley John (1-1) earned the win in an inning-and-a-third in relief for the Chips.
Siena continues action at the Madiera Beach Invitational III with a pair of contests Saturday afternoon, beginning with first time foe Presbyterian at 4 PM.