Marist Ends Regular Season With Split at Siena

LOUDONVILLE – The Marist softball team split a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader on the final day of the regular season at Siena on Sunday. The Red Foxes prevailed 14-0 in five innings in game one, and were defeated 3-2 in the second game.

In game one, senior first baseman Maureen Duddy set the program’s single-season record for runs scored, becoming the first player in program history to score 50 runs in a season.

Here is a closer look at each game.

Game One – Marist 14, Siena 0 (5 innings)

Marist scored in all five innings. In the first, senior shortstop Kyrsten Van Natta brought home Duddy with a sacrifice fly. The Red Foxes then erupted for a six-run second, which included a two-run double by freshman second baseman Claire Oberdorf, which was followed by a two-run homer off the bat of Van Natta.

Marist’s three-run third was highlighted by an RBI double from sophomore designated player Gabrielle Kelliher, and an RBI single from Duddy. An RBI double from junior right fielder Janna Korak and a sacrifice fly from senior center fielder Colleen McWilliams gave Marist two additional runs in the fourth. A two-run homer in the fifth from Van Natta closed out the scoring.

Junior Jayne Oberdorf (13-3) pitched a complete game two-hitter for her 12th consecutive win. Oberdorf struck out four, and walked just one.

For Marist, Van Natta finished 3-for-3 with five RBIs and three runs scored. Duddy was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, two RBIs and two stolen bases. Kelliher and freshman left fielder Casey Page were each 2-for-2 with two runs scored. The Red Foxes finished with 13 hits.

For Siena, Antonia Edwards (6-5), who started and went the first two innings, took the loss. Right fielder Alyssa Lancaster and designated player Chelsey Drew each singled.

Game Two – Siena 3, Marist 2

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth, when Siena catcher Sammy Smaldone hit a solo homer. In the fifth, the Saints extended their lead to 2-0 when second baseman Loryn DeFalco brought home center fielder Brooke Taylor with a single.

Marist tied the game in the top of the seventh. Van Natta and freshman catcher Madison Lee started the inning with back-to-back singles, and Korak brought both of them home with a double. However, Drew homered on an 0-1 pitch to lead off the bottom of the seventh to give Siena the victory.

Freshman Kallen Leeseberg (5-2) took the loss in relief for Marist. Red-shirt junior Jessica Van Alphen started, and allowed just one hit over the first four innings. For Siena, Lauren Butts (11-10) earned a complete game victory.

Marist concludes the regular season at 42-11 overall and 16-4 in the MAAC. Siena ends its season at 25-22 overall and 10-10 in MAAC play.

By virtue of winning the MAAC regular-season championship, Marist will host the MAAC Softball Championship at Gartland Field. The championship will run from May 11-15, and the Red Foxes will open play on Thursday, May 12.

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