Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Rookie Katie Bushee and sophomore Marisa Dowling both lead Colgate in each of Friday's games during the opening day of the Charleston Southern Tournament.
 
The Raiders kicked off their 2014 campaign and looked quite impressive despite dropping games to Appalachian State and Charleston Southern.

"We had moments of greatnes and in the early part of the season we saw some promising things," Colgate head coach Melissa Finley said. "We just had a difficult time sustaining our intensity and closing the games out."
 
In the season opener the Raiders came from behind to knot the score after going down 2-0 to the Mountaineers in the second inning. Unfortunately, Colgate couldn't find the needed run to outlast the Mountaineers as Appalachian State tallied the game-winner in the bottom of the seventh.
 
Two hours later the Raiders were back on the field this time taking on host Charleston Southern. Colgate got off to a hot start, recording six runs in the opening two innings thanks to a home run and single from Dowling plus a single from senior Tera Vaughn. Again, however, the Raiders saw their opponent registered one more run than them to steal the victory 7-6 in five innings. The game was called due to nightfall.

Colgate (0-2, 0-0 PL) was led by Bushee, who registered four hits, one run, and one RBI during her first two collegiate games. Dowling added two hits, one run and five RBI during her six at bats, while rookie Gillian Murray notched two runs and one hit, also in her first two games for the Maroon and White.

"Katie (Bushee) had a fantastic start to her collegiate career today and when she gets on base it puts us in a great position to score," Finley said.

Following a scoreless first inning in game one, Appalachian State registered two runs in the bottom of the second after a triple to right field from Whitney Johnson. With one out in the inning, Ashley Best earned a walk before Johnson's triple brought her home. Johnson also scored on the play after a throwing error by Colgate, to take the 2-0 advantage.

Colgate tried to cut the Mountaineers' lead when Bushee singled up the middle with two outs in the top of the third but the Raiders were unable to bring the freshman home as Dowling hit into a fielder's choice on the next at bat.
 
During the fourth inning, the Raiders saw Murray notch a double before she advanced to third on a wild pitch. Tara Grennan then followed with a sacrifice fly to bring her home and cut into the Mountaineers lead at 2-1.
 
The next inning, Colgate knotted the score at 2-all when Bushee continued her impressive game with a triple. Vaughn came in to pinch run for Alessandra Moore, who reached first on a fielder's choice. Vaughn then stole second before Bushee brought her home on the ensuing play.

Neither team was able to grab the go ahead run until Appalachian State scored the game-winning run late in the bottom of the seventh to steal the victory, 3-2.
 
Sophomore Brigit Ieuter pitched 6.1 innings, allowing five hits and three runs in the loss. Appalachian State's Sydney Laws recorded her second victory of the season pitching all seven innings, giving up four hits and two runs.
 
In the nightcap, Murray earned a two-out walk after fellow classmate Grennan was hit by a pitch, giving the Raiders two base runners. Dowling was able to convert on the opportunity by blasting one over the fence on the next play, giving Colgate the early 3-0 advantage in the top of the first.
 
The Raiders added to their lead in the next inning when both Vaughn and Dowling singled to bring in Colgate runs. Vaughn started things off by singling to third base to score Elieen Ornousky, who reached base on an error. Bushee, who earned a walk, and Vaughn advanced bases when Grennan reached first on a fielding error. Then with the bases loaded Dowling was again clutch singling through the left side, scoring Bushee and Vaughn for the six-run edge.
 
The Buccaneers grabbed two runs back in the bottom of the second to cut the Raider lead to 6-2.
 
Colgate had two on and two out in the next inning but weren't able to bring the runners home. 
 
The Raiders then saw their hosts notch a run in the next three innings, including a three-run fifth inning, to come from behind to steal the win.
 
Lauren Darden pitched 1.1 innings giving up two hits and six runs before Cheyenne Gandara came in for relief, finishing the game and allowing only four hits. Murray earned her first collegiate start, going four innings and allowing five hits and four runs. Megan Carnase came into the game in relief, pitching one inning, giving up three hits and three runs.
 
Colgate is back on the field, Saturday at 9 a.m. when it faces Eastern Illinois. The Raiders will then either play again at 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. depending on their finish in the morning game.
 
"We learned a lot from today and our focus for tomorrow is to be better than we were today," Finley added.