Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

EASTON, Pa. – Colgate received a number of powerful hits on Saturday afternoon as it earned its first two league wins with a doubleheader sweep of Lafayette, 6-0 and 5-1.
 
In total the Raiders accumulated 19 hits throughout the games, while only conceding a run.
 
"I was really pleased with the way this team played today," Colgate head coach Melissa Finley said. "It was good to see us play the full 14 innings today to the best of our ability and prove what Colgate Softball is all about. It was also nice to have some run support behind our pitchers today, thanks to some long balls and timely hitting. Tara Grennan had a great day offensively for us and Marisa (Dowling) got her first career grand slam. It was another all around team effort, as everyone did their part to produce some runs.
 
"Defensively we did a great job and made the plays when we needed to. It will be another battle tomorrow but as long as we get off to a strong start again and maintain our consistency we should have another great day at the ballpark."
 
After a scoreless opening inning in game one, the Raiders exploded for a five-run second to take the early 5-0 edge. Tara Grennan and Marisa Dowling helped Colgate's case with homers, including Dowling's first career grand slam. The Raiders tacked on an insurance run in the seventh, which ultimately secured them the victory.
 
In game two, both teams recorded a run in the first inning to knot the score at 1-all. Colgate then jumped back on top in the third when Grennan went long for the second time on the day to bring in two more Raider runs. Colgate crossed home plate two more times throughout the game to register the win.
 
Colgate (9-19, 2-6 PL) was led by Tara Grennan, who posted two home runs and three RBIs on the day. Marisa Dowling finished with two hits and five RBIs in her eight at bats, while Mariel Schlaefer and Tera Vaughn went 4-for-8 and 3-for-7, respectively. Schlaefer reeled in one RBI to go along with Vaughn's two runs.

 Lafayette (4-25, 2-9 PL) saw Kristen Berger go 3-for-5 on the day with a run and two walks. Bryn Gornick added two hits and an RBI on her six at bats as well.
 
In the opening game, Grennan kicked off the Raiders scoring with her first long ball of the day in the top of the second, which put the Raiders ahead 1-0. Her solo shot to right center gave her number two on the season. Alex Wilson followed that up singling before Eileen Ornousky reached base on a hit-by-pitch to place two runners on board. Alyssa Chaulklin moved the runners with a sacrifice bunt, shifting them into scoring position. Katie Bushee loaded the bases on the ensuing play after she earned a walk. The Leopards were able to record the second out of the inning before Dowling blasted one over the left field fence to clear the bases. The homer gave her three on the season, which ties her with Grennan for leading the team.
 
Colgate tightened up its defensive efforts over the next five innings and an insurance run in the seventh handed the Raiders their second shutout victory of the season.
 
Brigit Ieuter pitched a complete game for the Raiders not allowing a run on seven Leopard hits. She posted four strikeouts and is now 5-9 on the season. Melissa Robinson earned the loss, which dips her season record to 2-12.

The Raiders started game two, taking the early 1-0 edge after Fleming touched home. With one out in the first inning, Fleming reached base thanks to a Leopards' error. Dowling then singled putting two runners on the corners before a Schlaefer single up the middle scored Fleming from third.
 
Lafayette answered in the bottom half of the inning with its lone run of the day to pull even at 1-1.
 
But Colgate quickly responded in the third with a two-out two-run homer by Grennan. The Leopards recorded two outs in the inning before Vaughn doubled down the left field line to place a runner on base. Grennan then brought her home with a blast to left field, scoring Vaughn for the 3-1 Raider lead.
 
Two more runs for Colgate in the fifth created a four-run margin between the teams, which proved to be too much as solid pitching from sophomore Megan Carnase secured the victory for the Raiders. Carnase allowed just two hits throughout the remaining three innings to finish the day giving up only three hits and one run in seven complete innings of work.
 
These two teams faceoff again on Sunday for the final game of this three-game series. The contest is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m.