Box Score

HAMILTON – Sunday's softball game against Bucknell not only marked the final game of a three-game series with the Bison, but also the final game for four Colgate seniors.
 
Haley Fleming, Jennifer Martin, Eileen Ornousky and Tera Vaughn all played in their last game on Eaton Street Field and despite dropping an 8-1 decision, have a lot to be proud of over their four years in the Maroon and White.
 
"Our senior class has had fantastic careers here," Colgate head coach Melissa Finley said. "Tera (Vaughn) has been a four-year starter for the program, Haley (Fleming) has played multiple positions in her career, Eileen (Ornousky) has been our third basemen for the last two seasons and has hit the ball well for us, and Jennifer (Martin) has played left field and has brought us that needed left-handed hitting. It's been a pleasure and an honor to have coached these young ladies for the past two seasons."
 
So far the senior class has combined for 73 overall victories, while also posting a conference record of 40-34.
 
Throughout their time at Colgate, some have etched their name into program history, while all off them have recorded their first career home runs and have four years of memories, which will last them a lifetime.
 
Sunday's game started out with the Bison jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead after a solid first half inning. Colgate broke through in the bottom of the third, however, thanks to singles by Fleming and Vaughn, to cut the Bucknell edge to two-runs. Unfortunately, the Bison registered another strong inning, recording five big runs in the top of the fourth, which ultimately secured them the victory.
 
"Early on in this game we had opportunities to score and have those big innings ourselves, we just weren't able to come up with that needed hit," Finley said. "I want us to keep pushing and driving to be better every time we take the field."
 
Colgate (11-29, 3-12 PL) saw Fleming, Vaughn and Martin all record hits on the day, with Vaughn reeling in the Raiders' lone RBI. Rookie Katie Bushee added Colgate's run after posting two walks in the game.
 
Sophomore Brigit Ieuter earned the start for the Raiders, pitching 6.2 innings, allowing 11 hits and five runs. Fellow classmate Megan Carnase came in for relief giving up one hit and three runs during her 0.1 innings in the circle.
 
Bucknell (20-22, 9-6 PL) received a game-high performance from Cydnee Sanders, who went 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Jacee Almond also went 3-for-4 in the game and chipping in one of the Bison runs. Centerfielder Kristen Zahn added two hits, two runs and an RBI in her three plate appearances, while Amanda Fazio earned the win in the circle, allowing just three hits and one run in her seven complete innings.
 
The Bison tallied three runs in the opening inning, forcing the Raiders to play from behind early.
 
Colgate cut into Bucknell's lead in the bottom of the third after Bushee earned a leadoff walk. Fleming followed that up singling to third base, advancing Bushee 60 feet to get a runner in scoring position. On the ensuing play Vaughn singled up the middle to score the Raiders' only run of the game.
 
Bucknell quickly answered in the top of the fourth with five runs to extend its advantage to seven runs.
 
Despite the Raiders getting baserunners on in the bottom of the fourth and in the seventh, the Bison were able to hold off any Colgate attempt to secure themselves a victory.

Colgate next takes the field on Wednesday for its final out-of-conference doubleheader at Canisius. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

NOTES: The Raiders also acknowledged Jean Brooks as an honorary member of the 2014 senior class … Jean is a beloved member of the Colgate family and threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of the game …