LOUDONVILLE, NY – Making one of the earliest eastern time zone starts that an NCAA Division I team can make, Siena Softball (18-16, 7-3) fell at the hands to MAAC rival Canisius (18-15, 7-3) in a doubleheader sweep Saturday morning at the Siena Softball Field. The Golden Griffins followed up a 3-1 decision in game one with a 2-0 shutout victory in game two, with pitching leading the way in both.
 
Canisius 3, Siena 1
 
After playing in a six hour and four-minute doubleheader the previous day, the Saints used an 8 AM first pitch to avoid inclement weather prior to the Easter holiday. Following a pair of scoreless innings, Canisius loaded up the bases in the top of the third and used an RBI single to left to send a pair of runs home. Despite being out-hit, 4-3, in what was a pitcher's duel, the Griffs added another run in the top of the fifth on an RBI double. Siena finally broke on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth on a scoring error that allowed junior Jocelyn Ulrich to come home, but stranded five runners on-base, including the bases loaded in the third.
 
Four different Saints earned a hit in the loss, while three pitchers tossed a combined 20 strikeouts between the two squads. Canisius standout Megan Giese (7-3) struck out ten in a complete game win in the circle, while Siena freshman Adriana Romano (3-3) took the loss in four and two-thirds innings despite logging a career-best nine strikeouts. Senior Ava Fitzmaurice added a strikeout on two and one-third innings of relief.
 
Canisius 2, Siena 0
 
The Golden Griffins continued their hot day in the circle by allowing just three Siena hits and keeping the home team off the scoreboard all-together in the second game. The game's only two runs came in the top of the fourth via an RBI single and an RBI groundout. Siena stranded runners in four innings, with sophomore Isabella Pardo leading the team with a pair of hits offensively. Canisius' Alexis Churchill (3-5) struck out seven in five and one-third innings to earn the win, while Giese re-entered to collect her fourth save of the season. Siena's Nicole Patille (5-5) took the complete game loss despite tossing eight strikeouts.
 
Siena will have four days without play before heading across town to UAlbany for a crosstown showdown doubleheader on Thursday, April 21.