HARRISONBURG, VA – Following a three-week hiatus from non-conference action, Siena Softball (1-5) returned to the field to continue its 2020 campaign Friday, falling in a pair of contests to open up play at the JMU Invitational in Harrisonburg, VA. The Saints were run ruled by both UConn, 10-1, and California, 16-8, in their first matchup with each team in program history.

Game 1 – UConn 10, Siena 1 (5)

The Saints took the field at Veterans Memorial Park to kick of the tournament against the Huskies Friday morning, playing the first run of the day off an RBI single from junior captain Isabelle DeChiaro that plated senior Lauren Sabihon.

UConn proceeded to score 10 unanswered runs to end the game in five innings, tying the game at one with an RBI single up the middle. The Huskies plated two more runs off an RBI single and a ground out in the third and used singles and a fielding error to tack on five runs in the fourth and one more in the final frame.

DeChiaro's knock would stand as the only Siena hit of the game, with UConn's Meghan O'Neil (5-2) picking up the win with four strikeouts and a pair of walks in four innings. Senior captain Maddie McMahon (1-2) was tagged with the loss, surrendering six runs (five earned) on five hits, while striking out three and walking four in three and one-third innings. Freshman Nicole Patille and sophomore Sarah Dowalo each chipped in two-thirds of an inning in relief.

Game 1 – California 16, Siena 8 (5)

The Saints stayed on the field to conclude their Friday doubleheader with just their second meeting with a Pac-12 opponent in program history in the Golden Bears. Cal plated five runs to jet out to a lead in the top of the first, with a pair of RBI doubles and a single getting the job done. Junior Taylor Rhinehart put the Saints on the board in the home half of the frame, sending in DeChiaro, while freshman Angelina Stile moved into position to advance home on a wild pitch to make it 5-2.

California would explode to pull out to a 15-2 lead after 2.5 innings, plating three runs in the second inning and six in the top of the third. The Saints countered with freshman power hitters stepping up to give Siena its most runs scored in a game this season. Stile sent the team's first home run of the season to center field in the third, while classmate Emma McLaughlin placed Rhinehart on an RBI double during the same inning.

Following an RBI single from freshman Maritza Diaz that scored sophomore Yamila Evans in the bottom of the fourth, Stile became the first Saint since Madysen Cossack in 2017 to knock multiple home runs in a game, sending a two-run shot to left field to make it 15-7. The teams traded runs to end the game in the fifth, with Diaz putting a single into play that allowed Evans to come in on a fielding error.

Despite the high-scoring affair, just four combined pitchers stepped into the circle between the two squads. Cal's Alexandra Perez (6-5) picked up the win with two strikeouts in three innings, while Evans (0-1) took the loss with a strikeout and five walks in 3.1 innings. Freshman Allison Speshyock pitched the final 1.2 innings in the game for the Saints.

Siena continues weekend action at the JMU Invitational on Saturday, March 7, when they face the host Dukes at 12:30 PM. The Saints will then play a second game at either 3 or 5 PM, depending on their seed following pool play.