LOUDONVILLE, NY - In its first set of home Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) games of the season, Siena Softball put on a show for the hometown faithful with a doubleheader sweep of the visiting Sacred Heart (SHU) Pioneers (16-17, 6-4) - securing a series victory over the conference newcomers. The Saints (19-14, 4-3) claimed a 3-1 victory in game one before edging out SHU in game two, 6-5). 
 
Siena 3, Sacred Heart 1
 
For the second time in as many starts, Alissa Eimont tossed a two-hit masterpiece to help secure her ninth win of the season. In going the distance, the redshirt junior allowed just one run on a solo home run, while striking out three Pioneers to just one free pass. 
 
Gianna DiMeglio accounted for two of Siena's four hits in the game, one of which coming with a two-RBI single in the first inning to bring home Lauren Melton and Gracie Goewey. Eimont retired the first eight SHU batters before a solo home run with two outs in the third cut the Siena lead to one. 
 
The Saints got the run back in the fourth by way of a McKenzie Swinson RBI single to plate Carlie Venables from second. And that would be all the scoring for the game. 
 
Eimont was on cruise control from the third inning homer on, retiring 13 of 15 batters faced to finish off the game - allowing just one hit and one walk - to earn the game one win. 
 
Siena 6, Sacred Heart 5
 
Game two provided a little more spark despite Eimont making another appearance in the circle. However, it did take the Pioneers until the fifth inning until they got to her for the first time in the game. 
 
In the meantime, the Saints gave their ace six runs of support between the third and fourth frames. Gracie Goewey put the game's first run on the board with an infield single in the third to bring home the speedy McKenzie Swinson from third. This led the way to a five-run fourth for the Saints. 

With one on and no outs, Cali DeLawder entered as a pinch hitter. The rookie stepped in and deposited a 3-1 pitch over the right center field fence for her third of the season - making it a 3-0 game. Later, Lauren Melton came in on a Carlie Venables sacrifice fly, while Goewey and Swinson came around on a two-out error in left field to open the game up to 6-0. 
 
However, the Pioneers immediately responded with a five-run inning of their own the ensuing half inning. SHU scored a run two batters in, while the big blow came later on a grand slam to cut the Siena lead down to one. 
 
While Eimont's day ended, all trust turned Kaycie Kennedy - and the senior delivered. She went the final 2+ innings, allowing no runs on just two hits and no walks, while striking out a pair to keep Siena's lead intact. While the Saints couldn't tack on insurance runs, her work in the circle was enough to seal and secure the win, and series victory. 
 
In the game, Venables extended her on-base streak to 12 consecutive games, while Swinson reached for her 11^th consecutive, and Goewey her 10^th.
 
With the series finale previously scheduled for noon Sunday, the Saints and Pioneers will now conclude the three-game set 2 p.m. Sunday from Siena Softball Field.