LOUDONVILLE, NY - Strong pitching and power from the dish paid dividends for Siena Softball Wednesday to propel the Green and Gold to a sweep of the visiting Stonehill Skyhawks. The Saints (17-14, 2-3) topped the Skyhawks (7-20, 0-6) 5-0 in game one before going on to take the second game 4-1 from Siena Softball Field.
 
Siena 5, Stonehill 0
 
A career day in the circle, Gracie Goewey went the distance while striking out a career-high 10 Skyhawks. Upon doing so, the sophomore allowed just one hit, and handed out four free passes. 
 
The Saints combined for eight hits in the game -two of which from McKenzie Swinson out of the nine hole. Emma Petersen logged one of two Siena extra-base hits with a double, while the other came on Cali DeLawder's second home run of the season. 
 
DeLawder's long ball capped off a fifth inning that featured each of the five runs scored in the contest. The frame started with Lauren Melton driving in Swinson and Carlie Venables - who reached base for the ninth straight game. The rookie DeLawder later stepped in with a three-run shot to straightaway center for a 5-0 lead. 
 
From there, Goewey retired the side in order in the sixth, and escaped a tricky seventh with two early walks allowed. 
 
Siena 4, Stonehill 1
 
Goewey's momentum from game one carried into game two. After freshman starter Valerie Pedersen tossed a clean top half, Goewey launched her sixth home run of the season over the left field wall for an early 1-0 lead. 
 
Pedersen kept Stonehill in check through the third until the Skyhawks found the board in the fourth, leading to Alissa Eimont entering the game and escaping the inning with the score tied 1-1. 
 
With the score still even in the bottom of the fifth, McKenzie Swinson came up to the plate with Carlie Venables at first and one away. The senior connected for her third home run of the season to push the Saints back ahead, 3-1. 
 
The Saints tacked on an insurance run in the sixth when Ashlee Sweet scored on an error by the Stonehill catcher attempting to throw the ball down to second. Meanwhile, Eimont capped off her 3.1 innings of shutout work to earn her eighth win of the year. 
 
Siena remains home to host conference newcomer Sacred Heart this weekend for the team's MAAC-opening series. The sides will play the first two of the three-game slate Friday starting at 1 p.m., with game three to follow at noon Saturday.