Siena Softball (25-19, 15-11 MAAC) came within a swing of flipping the script twice on Friday but ultimately dropped a pair of 5–4 decisions to MAAC-leading Marist (33-19, 23-3 MAAC) at Gartland Field.
Despite holding an early four-run advantage in the opener and mounting a late-inning rally in the nightcap, the Saints were unable to secure a breakthrough win against the conference's top team.
Marist 5, Siena 4
Siena wasted no time asserting control, jumping out to a 4–0 lead through the first three innings behind timely hitting and opportunistic offense.
Gianna DiMeglio ignited the scoring in the second, reaching on a single and eventually coming around on an error-assisted RBI single from
Carlie Venables. The Saints broke things open in the third, as
Megan Klein worked a walk and advanced into scoring position before
Chloe Cummings and
Gracie Goewey delivered back-to-back singles.
Cali DeLawder then provided the big blow, lacing a two-run double down the right field line to cap the four-run surge.
Marist answered swiftly, however, erupting for four runs in the bottom of the third, highlighted by a game-tying three-run homer from Sienna Kunze. The Red Foxes then took the lead an inning later, manufacturing what proved to be the decisive run on an RBI single.
Siena threatened but couldn't break through over the final frames, as Marist held on to edge the opener.
Cummings led the offense with a pair of hits and a run scored, while DeLawder drove in two and added a double.
Emma Petersen also contributed with a double as part of Siena's multi-hit attack. In the circle, Goewey turned in a complete-game effort, scattering 10 hits while striking out two and walking just two across six innings.
Marist 5, Siena 4
The second game followed a similar script — tight, back-and-forth, and decided in the late innings.
After Marist struck early, Siena stayed within reach behind a steady relief outing from
Violet Marta, who logged six innings and limited further damage while keeping the Saints in striking distance.
The Red Foxes created separation in the fourth with a three-run inning, but Siena answered in the fifth. DiMeglio once again sparked the offense with a leadoff single and later scored on
Ella Milante's sacrifice fly, while Venables came home on a Marist miscue to trim the deficit to 4–2.
Trailing late, Siena made its final push in the seventh.
Sarah Miller and
Ashlee Sweet crossed the plate on a clutch two-run single from Petersen, knotting the score and breathing life into the Saints' comeback bid.
Marist, however, delivered the final response, pushing across the winning run in the bottom half to complete the sweep.
Petersen finished with a team-high two RBIs, while DiMeglio recorded two hits and scored a run. Venables also contributed with a hit and a run scored.
Siena will look to bounce back and salvage the series when the Saints face Marist in the finale on Saturday, May 2. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. in Poughkeepsie.
