Clarksville, TN – Continuing spring break non-conference action in the South, Siena Softball (3-10) dropped a pair of matches at Ohio Valley Conference foe Austin Peay Wednesday afternoon. The Saints fell, 4-1, in a rain-delayed game one, and were run-ruled, 10-2 in game two.
Game One – Austin Peay 4, Siena 1
Coming off a dominant doubleheader sweep of North Carolina Central on Tuesday, Siena played Austin Peay to a 1-1 tie through two innings. Following an RBI double that got the Govs on the board in the first, Freshman Antonia Alba singled to center to score classmate Kaitlyn Davis in the next frame.
Following a 3-minute rain delay, the home team took care of business in the later innings, with the go ahead runs coming in off a dropped fly ball in the fourth inning. One more insurance run was added in the bottom of the sixth via a solo home run. Siena senior Maddie McMahon (2-4) was tagged with the complete game loss, allowing four runs two earned) on as many hits with a pair of strikeouts and six walks. APSU's Harley Mullins (6-5) stood all seven innings in the circle, striking out five on seven hits.
Game One – Austin Peay 10, Siena 2 (5)
Following the win in the two squads' first meeting since 2000, the Governors ran away with game two, breaking out to a 3-1 lead after an inning of play. Following an RBI single from Siena's Lauren Sabihon that sent home Isabelle DeChiaro, APSU responded with a solo home run, an RBI single and the stealing of home plate in the bottom of the first.
The Govs added four more off a pair of two-run homers in the second inning to break out to a 7-1 lead. Siena got back on the board in the third with Sabihon reaching base on an error by the second baseman that sent sophomore Yamila Evans home. The Saints could not score further, with a pair of RBI doubles in the fifth ending the game early in favor of the home team.
Junior Taylor Rhinehart (0-3) took the loss in just two-thirds of an inning in the circle, while Allison Speshyock (0.1) and Nicole Patille (3.2) also made appearances to pitch. Austin Peay's Emily Harkleroad (1-1) cruised to a complete game win, striking out four while allowing just two runs (one earned).
Following the doubleheader, Siena athletics announced schedule changes for the Saints' upcoming weekend at the Skyhawk Hampton Inn Classic in Martin, Tennessee. Schedule opponent IUPUI has withdrawn from the tournament, setting up a pair of doubleheaders between the Saints and host Tennessee-Martin. The teams will play a doubleheader on Friday, March 13 at Noon & 2 PM, and will meet for another twin bill on Sunday, March 15 at 2 & 4 PM.
