FAIRFIELD, CT – Siena Softball endured hardship for the first time in MAAC play this season to cap its second weekend series of the year. The Saints (18-10, 4-2) dropped both games of a doubleheader series against Fairfield by way of 4-2 and 10-7 decisions at Alumni Softball Field in Fairfield, Connecticut on Sunday afternoon.

Fairfield 4, Siena 2

Finishing up a series that was moved to Connecticut due to inclement weather after originally being scheduled to be played in Loudonville, the Saints worked from behind to begin the day following a 6-4 win in the weekend opener on Saturday. Fairfield struck in the top of the third with a 2 RBI single from Allie Bridgman, but Siena used the home half of the fourth to even up the score, with sophomore Emma Petersen coming home to score on a wild pitch, and fifth year Jocelyn Ulrich crossing home by way of a throwing error.

Accounting for three of her team's four RBI's on the day, Bridgeman turned the lead to Fairfield for good with an RBI single in the fifth, with an additional run scoring for the Stags via an RBI single in the sixth. Siena stranded a pair of runners on-base in both the fifth and the sixth, while going down in order offensively in the seventh.

Fairfield held a slight 7-6 advantage in hits, with Ulrich going 2-3 to lead Siena offensively. Redshirt-sophomore Alissa Eimont (10-4) struck out four in a complete game loss in the circle.

Fairfield 10, Siena 7

The Stags pulled away early in the rubber match, finding the scoreboard on an RBI single from Bridgman in the top of the first and putting up multiple runs in each of the next four innings. A 2 RBI single brought the lead to three in the second, while another in the third had Fairfield up, 6-0. The Stags inflicted further damage off an RBI single and a bases loaded walk in the fourth.

Siena used a busy fourth inning to put forth a comeback attempt, beginning with a 2 RBI single up the middle from Cummings. Junior McKenzie Swinson sent in a runner on an RBI ground out, while Cummings scored on a fielding error to make it 7-5 through four innings.

The Stags quickly countered with three more runs by way of a bases loaded hit-by-pitch, a fielding error, and a bases-loaded walk to maintain their lead. Siena had room for two more runs on an RBI fielder's choice from Petersen and another from Ulrich in the seventh, but could not come any closer.

Fairfield held a 14-7 hits advantage in the offensive outburst, with Petersen and Ulrich logging multi-hit performances for the Saints. Graduate student Nicole Patille (7-1) was tagged with her first loss of the season in the circle, surrendering five runs (three earned) and striking out one in two and one-third innings. Freshman Hailey Francois fanned three batters in one and two-third innings, while freshman Gracie Goewey and Eimont also saw action pitching-wise.

 Siena will continue conference play with a three-game midweek set to usher in home play. The Saints will host MAAC foe Marist at Siena Softball Field for doubleheader action on Tuesday, April 9 beginning at 2 PM.