LOUDONVILLE, NY — Siena Softball split a thrilling doubleheader against UAlbany at Siena Softball Field, dropping the opener in extra innings before rallying for a dramatic walk-off win in game two. The Great Danes took game one, 5–3 in eight innings, while the Saints responded with a 5–4 victory in the nightcap.
UAlbany 5, Siena 3 (8)
Despite a pair of home runs fueling the offense, Siena (18-10) fell in extra innings as UAlbany (16-14) used a three-run eighth to secure the opener.
Gracie Goewey delivered a complete-game effort in the circle, tossing all eight innings while allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits. She struck out five and walked three, throwing 128 pitches, 85 for strikes. Goewey also led the Saints at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run, an RBI, and a run scored.
Emma Petersen added a strong performance with two hits, including a home run, and two RBIs, while
Chloe Cummings chipped in with a double.
Siena struck first in the second inning when Goewey launched a solo home run to center to make it 1–0. UAlbany answered in the fourth with a two-run double to take a 2–1 lead, but Petersen evened the score in the sixth with a solo shot to center.
The game remained tied until the eighth, when UAlbany capitalized with three runs, highlighted by a two-RBI double. Petersen brought home a run with an RBI single in the bottom half, but the Saints couldn't complete the comeback.
Siena 5, UAlbany 4
Siena bounced back in the second game, walking it off with two runs in the seventh to earn the split.
Violet Marta picked up her 10th win of the season, improving to 10-5 after a complete-game performance. She allowed four runs (three earned) on 11 hits over seven innings, striking out two and walking two while throwing 117 pitches, including 72 strikes.
Petersen stayed hot, tallying two hits, including a home run, and two RBIs. Goewey continued her standout day with a home run and three RBIs, while
Megan Klein scored twice and reached base via a hit and a hit-by-pitch.
Siena wasted no time getting on the board, as Klein was hit by a pitch to start the game before Petersen launched a two-run homer to left, giving the Saints a 2–1 lead after one inning.
UAlbany responded by taking the lead in the fourth with two runs, aided by an RBI single and a Siena error, and added another run in the fifth to go up 4–2.
The Saints began their comeback in the sixth when Goewey blasted a solo home run to cut the deficit to one. In the seventh,
Carlie Venables drew a walk and later scored alongside Klein on Goewey's walk-off single to center, lifting Siena to the 5–4 victory.
Siena will next travel to Riverdale, NY, to take on Manhattan for a doubleheader on Saturday, Apr. 11. First pitch is set for noon at Gaelic Park.
