In search of its first series win of the 2021 season, Siena Softball (9-7) successfully performed a doubleheader sweep of MAAC foe Saint Peter's (0-6) on Sunday afternoon, taking 7-2 and 3-2 victories at Siena Softball Field. The Saints have now won five in a row overall and 14 straight over the Peacocks dating back to 2009.
 
Game 1: Siena 7, Saint Peter's 2
 
The teams took the field for game one bright and early, with Sunday's half of the series being moved up by two hours due to the threat of inclement weather. The Saints used an RBI single from sophomore Emma McLaughlin to get on the board in the first innings, with freshman Isabella Pardo coming in to score. Saint Peter's would knot things up in the top of the third off an RBI single of its own, but the bottom of the frame proved to be the turning point for the Saints.
 
After pushing seven runs across in the bottom of the second inning in game one of Saturday's doubleheader, Siena scored five in the home half of the third to take a 6-1 lead after three innings. Junior Yamila Evans sent in classmate Sabrina Vargas on a sacrifice fly, while sophomore Angelina Stile singled to left field to score senior Isabelle DeChiaro. McLaughlin then came across on a wild pitch, Stile came in on an error and sophomore Kaitlyn Davis singled to right field to score freshman Mikala Fletcher.
 
The Peacocks countered with a run scoring on a throwing error in the fourth, but stranded three batters in the final four innings and could not mount a comeback. Siena had one more run in them during the win, with DeChiaro plating sophomore pinch runner Sophia Caputo on an RBI double in the sixth.
 
The Saints got pitching support from sophomore Allison Speshyock (5-1), who continued her breaking season by winning her fifth consecutive appearance in four innings in the circle, with just two runs (one earned) allowed on as many hits and one strikeout. Senior Taylor Rhinehart notched her first save of the season in three relief innings, posting four strikeouts and allowing just a single hit. Saint Peter's' Christina Colon (0-4) picked up the loss in two innings, allowing three runs on two hits and walking four. McLaughlin's 2-4 performance at the plate led Siena offensively.
 
Game 2: Siena 3, Saint Peter's 2
 
The nightcap of Sunday's doubleheader would mirror that of Saturday's succession, with game two staying much closer between the two squads. Siena pulled out to a three-run lead early on, but Saint Peter's stormed back to attempt to salvage a game on the four-contest weekend. Pardo got the Saints on the board by scoring on a wild pitch in the bottom of the first, while DeChiaro laced a double down the left field line that allowed Vargas to come in. McLaughlin then continued her busy day on the base paths, singling up the middle to score DeChiaro.
 
Following another solid performance from graduate student pitcher Maddie McMahon (3-2) in the circle that featured scoreless ball and just three hits given up, Saint Peter's tested the bounds of sophomore Nicole Patille, sending six batters to the plate and scoring a pair on a fielder's choice and a throwing error. Patille retired eight of the final nine batters, however, to earn her second save of the year, throwing a pair of strikeouts in the process. Colon (0-5) fell in the circle on two and one-third innings of work for the Peacocks, while Vargas posted a multi-hit affair to lead the Saints offensively.
 
Now off to its best start through 16 games since 2001 and housing its longest winning streak since 2017, Siena will continue an eight game home stand over the course of five days this coming week. The Saints will welcome MAAC rival Canisius to Siena Softball Field on Tuesday, April 13 and Wednesday, April 14, with games slated for 2:00 PM & 4:00 PM on day one and 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM on day two.