Siena Softball (16-12) kept themselves in contention for a top-four spot in the MAAC Wednesday afternoon, securing a mid-week doubleheader split with conference rival Marist (7-11) at Gartland Field in Poughkeepsie, New York. The Saints dropped a 2-0 decision in game one before winning the nightcap, 4-3, in nine innings.
 
Game 1: Marist 2, Siena 0
 
With the teams taking the field south of the Capital Region due to inclement weather in Loudonville, the Red Foxes only needed three hits to take the win in an economical game one. The home team took the lead in the bottom of the first and held on, with a 2 RBI single getting the job done.
 
Despite going the distance in the circle, Siena sophomore pitcher Nicole Patille (2-3) took the loss, giving up just one earned run on three hits and striking out five. The Saints stranded six batters on-base offensively, with senior Isabelle DeChiaro, sophomore Antonia Alba, and freshman Isabella Pardo each garnering hits. Marist's Calista Phippen (3-4) earned the shutout win in the circle while striking out seven.
 
Game 2: Siena 4, Marist 3 (9)
 
Looking to rebound after having dropped four of their last five contests, the Saints entered another pitchers' duel that took them into extra innings for the third time this season during the nightcap. Both teams waited until the fifth inning of play to get on the board, with sophomores Maritza Diaz and Emma McLaughlin each driving in runs on RBI singles in the top of the frame to get the visitors on the board.
 
Marist answered almost immediately, with a two-run home run to right center knotting the game at two in the home half. Pitchers Maddie McMahon for Siena and Meghan Haff for Marist each managed five-inning no decisions, with McMahon fanning fix and Haff striking out three.
 
Both teams went down in the seventh to extend the game, with DeChairo singling up the middle to put Siena on top in the top of the eighth and another home run bringing it back to a tie, this time at three. McLaughlin put the Saints up for good with an RBI ground out in the top of the ninth to send in junior Yamila Evans, while sophomore right-hander Allison Speshyock collected her first save of the season to secure the split.
 
Senior Taylor Rhinehart (2-3) took the win in three and two thirds relief innings for the Saints, allowing just one earned run and striking out five. Marist's Nicole Teague (1-2) took the lead after spending four innings in the circle. Diaz and McLaughlin led the Green and Gold offensively with two hits each.
 
Siena will continue what turned into a 12-game road trip this weekend, when they head to Hamden, Connecticut to face Quinnipiac in a four-game series on Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3.