BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Allie Bridgman and Alyssa Weinberg teamed up in the pitching circle while Kaitlin Hoffman registered three hits and an RBI, leading the fourth-seeded Fairfield University softball team to a 5-3 win over fifth-seeded Siena College on Wednesday afternoon. The victory sets up a match up with top-seeded and host Canisius College on Thursday at 1:30 pm.

The Stags never trailed in the game, scoring first with a pair of runs in the second inning to take an early lead. Hoffman started the scoring rally when she sliced a single to put a runner on base with one out. After an infield pop up secured the second out, Haley Updegraff followed with a two-run home run to the left-center field to send the game's first two runs. 

Bridgman was able to work her way out a few situations when Siena managed to put runners on base including a pair in the second inning and two in the third inning. The Stags doubled up their lead in the bottom of the third as the speed of Charli Warren came into play. The sophomore picked up a base hit off a perfectly placed bunt and proceeded to second base a few pitches later to put a runner in scoring position. Morgan Sylvestre sent Warren up one station with an infield single which brought Delaney Whieldon to the plate. The freshman put the ball in play with a bunt that allowed Warren score the team's third run and Sylvestre to find her way to third base. Hoffman followed with a single through the right side of the infield to push the team's fourth run home.

Siena found its offensive stroke in the top of the fifth inning when Isabella Pardo led off with a triple against Bridgman. The right hander was able to induce a ground ball against the hitter but it was placed well enough to allow Pardo to plate the Saints' first run. The visiting team managed to pull even closer in the sixth inning despite Bridgman retiring the first two hitters. After a base hit to right field, Ashley Giampolo hit a pinch-hit home run to over the left field fence which Warren was able to put a glove on it before the ball carried over the fence.

The Stags added a run in the bottom half of the inning when Madison Robicheau drew a five-pitch walk to put a runner on base. Ella Watson was inserted into the game as a pinch runner and quickly stole second base to reach scoring position. After a passed ball allowed her to move to third base, Watson came home when Warren's grounder to the left side was mishandled and allowed the fifth run to score.

Weinberg, who entered the game with two outs in the sixth inning, allowed a one-out single to bring the tying run to the plate in the seventh inning. However, the left hander was able to get a ground ball that the infield turned into a double play which ended the game. Weinberg picked up her fifth save of the season while Bridgman secured her sixth win of the campaign.