LOUDONVILLE, NY – Looking for its second consecutive series victory, Siena Softball (12-8) took a doubleheader split with MAAC foe Canisius (8-9) Wednesday afternoon at Siena Softball Field, dropping a 3-0 decision before mounting a comeback in game two to come away with a 5-3 victory.
 
Game 1: Canisius 3, Siena 0
 
Entering the day having won seven for the program's longest winning streak since 2012, the Saints stranded five and could not get on the board in game one, with the Golden Griffins' Emily Nicosia registering three-and-two-third perfect innings in the circle to begin the game. Following two scoreless innings, Canisius jumped out to a 2-0 lead off an RBI triple and an RBI single in the top of the second.
 
The Griffs added an insurance run in the top of the second off a fielder's choice with the bases loaded to take a three-run lead, with Siena stranding a pair on the base paths to end the game. Nicosia (3-3) allowed four hits on the day, while walking and striking out one batter each, while Siena's Allison Speshyock (6-2) took the loss in two innings, surrendering a pair of runs on four hits and walking one. Sophomore Nicole Patille gave up one run on four hits and struck out three in five relief innings, while senior Isabelle DeChiaro, junior Yamila Evans, sophomore Aneglina Stile and sophomore Antonia Alba each recorded hits offensively for the Saints.
 
Game 2: Siena 5, Canisius 3
 
 The Green and Gold also fell down in the second game, but used a late comeback to earn a split on the day and take three of four on the mid-week series. After two more scoreless innings, Canisius took a 1-0 lead in the visiting half of the third, with a runner stealing second that allowed one at third to come in and cross home. The Saints tied things up an inning-and-a-half later, with sophomore Emma McLaughlin doubling to right center to plate sophomore pinch runner Shannon Bonewit, marking the first time she crossed home plate as a Saint.
 
With the score still knotted at one entering the sixth thanks to four no-decision innings from graduate student Maddie McMahon that featured one run off six hits and one strikeout, the Griffs found the lead again in the visiting frame, with an RBI double to right center getting the job done. The one-run lead wasn't enough to overcome the Saints' crooked frame in the home half of the inning, with four runs coming across to give the Green and Gold a 5-2 lead. Evans dropped a single in right field that allowed sophomore Kaitlyn Davis to score, with an out call at home reversed to spark momentum for the Saints. Alba then singled with the bases loaded to place Evans and sophomore Maritza Diaz, while freshman Isabella Pardo capped things off with a single up the middle to send in freshman Mikala Fletcher.
 
Canisius got a run back off an RBI double in the top of the seventh, but could not get any closer, giving Siena its eighth win in nine games and the lead for total wins in the conference. Senior Taylor Rhinehart (1-3) collected her first win of the year in a relief effort of two-and-two-thirds innings, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out five. Patille came in to retire the final out of the day with the potential game-tying run at the place, adding her third save of the season. Canisius' Alexis Churchill (2-2) took the loss, giving up all five runs (four earned) on six hits while walking one and striking out four.

Prior to the start of the doubleheader, Siena honored its graduating foursome of McMahon, DeChiaro, Rhinehart and Neysa Ouellette as part of its 2021 Senior Day activities. After playing 16 of its first 20 games of the year at home, the Saints will now prepare to hit the road for the next eight contests and 14 of their final 16 scheduled games. Siena will be back in action on Tuesday, April 20 to begin a four-game mid-week series at Niagara.