A method for infiltrating a porous ceramic matrix composite preform, the method comprising: positioning the porous CMC preform in an opening of a die set for an infiltration system, the CMC preform including: a plurality of ply stacks (134, 136), each of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136) including a predetermined, unidirectional material orientation, and a plurality of voids (138, 170) formed between each of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136); flowing a molten densifier over the porous CMC preform in a first flow direction to infiltrate the plurality of voids (138, 170) formed between each of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136) of the CMC preform; and flowing the molten densifier over the porous CMC preform in a second flow direction, distinct from the first flow direction, to infiltrate the plurality of voids (138, 170) formed between each of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136) of the CMC preform, wherein the second flow direction is substantially parallel to the predetermined, unidirectional material orientation of at least one ply stack of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136) of the CMC preform; wherein positioning the porous CMC preform in the opening of the die set includes: aligning the predetermined, unidirectional material orientation of the at least one ply stack of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136) of the CMC preform with the second flow direction of the flowing molten densifier; the method further comprising: flowing the molten densifier over the porous CMC preform in a third flow direction, distinct from the first flow direction, to infiltrate the plurality of voids (138, 170) formed between each of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136) of the CMC preform, wherein the third flow direction is substantially parallel to the predetermined, unidirectional material orientation of at least one distinct ply stack (134,136) of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136) of the CMC preform. positioning the porous CMC preform in an opening of a die set for an infiltration system, the CMC preform including: a plurality of ply stacks (134, 136), each of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136) including a predetermined, unidirectional material orientation, and a plurality of voids (138, 170) formed between each of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136); a plurality of ply stacks (134, 136), each of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136) including a predetermined, unidirectional material orientation, and a plurality of voids (138, 170) formed between each of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136); flowing a molten densifier over the porous CMC preform in a first flow direction to infiltrate the plurality of voids (138, 170) formed between each of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136) of the CMC preform; and flowing the molten densifier over the porous CMC preform in a second flow direction, distinct from the first flow direction, to infiltrate the plurality of voids (138, 170) formed between each of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136) of the CMC preform, wherein the second flow direction is substantially parallel to the predetermined, unidirectional material orientation of at least one ply stack of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136) of the CMC preform; wherein positioning the porous CMC preform in the opening of the die set includes: aligning the predetermined, unidirectional material orientation of the at least one ply stack of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136) of the CMC preform with the second flow direction of the flowing molten densifier; the method further comprising: flowing the molten densifier over the porous CMC preform in a third flow direction, distinct from the first flow direction, to infiltrate the plurality of voids (138, 170) formed between each of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136) of the CMC preform, wherein the third flow direction is substantially parallel to the predetermined, unidirectional material orientation of at least one distinct ply stack (134,136) of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136) of the CMC preform. flowing the molten densifier over the porous CMC preform in a third flow direction, distinct from the first flow direction, to infiltrate the plurality of voids (138, 170) formed between each of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136) of the CMC preform, wherein the third flow direction is substantially parallel to the predetermined, unidirectional material orientation of at least one distinct ply stack (134,136) of the plurality of ply stacks (134, 136) of the CMC preform.