Down four runs in the final inning, Siena Softball looked to put together another come-from-behind victory performance against the Central Michigan (CMU) Chippewas Sunday morning. Unlike Friday, however, the Saints fell one run short in a 4-3 loss from Madeira Beach, FL.
Alissa Eimont retired the first five Chippewas in order before issuing a two out walk in the top of the second inning for CMU's first baserunner. However, she sat down the next batter on a foul out to escape with no harm.
Gracie Goewey opened the bottom of the second with a double, but the sophomore wound up stranded at third as the game moved into the third scoreless.
CMU struck first in the third inning on a one out RBI single up the middle before adding two more in the fourth for a 3-0 lead. The Saints produced one baserunner in the third and fourth each, but couldn't push anyone past second base.
In the top of the 5th the CMU lead grew by one on a solo home run. The Chippewas threatened more with runners on second and third but Eimont escaped the jam without further damage. Siena looked to strike back in the bottom half when
Ashlee Sweet opened the inning with a walk, and went to third on a
McKenzie Swinson double. However, the next three hitters went down in order.
Still trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the 7th, the Saints began to piece together another late comeback similar to what the team accomplished against CMU Friday. Swinson began the inning with a single before being thrown out at second base on a fielder's choice. With one out and
Chloe Cummings on first,
Carlie Venables singled her to second while the next batter,
Ashley Giampolo, doubled in Cummings from second to bring Siena within three.
Later with two outs and two on, Goewey cleared the bases with a double that made it a 4-3 game, bringing up
Gianna DiMeglio with the tying run on second. On a 0-1 count, the freshman got under the pitch and flew out to right to end the game.
Siena returns to the Northeast for two games at Holy Cross next Saturday, Mar. 15. Game one of the twin bill is set for 1 p.m. from Worcester, MA.
