DELAND, Fla. – The Colgate softball team finally kicked off their season on Friday with two games at the Stetson Tournament.
 
The Raiders ultimately dropped a 9-1 contest to Troy in their season opener before falling to the hosts, 12-3, in the nightcap.
 
Colgate did see Marisa Dowling and Alessandra Moore go 2-for-5 on the day though to lead the team. 
 
Katie Bushee, Mariel Schlaefer, Tara Grennan and Gillian Murray all tallied a hit during the Raiders opening day, with Schlaefer adding two RBIs.
 
The Raiders jumped out to the early 1-0 edge in the first game following a single from Bushee. After stealing second, the sophomore advanced to third on a wild pitch. Then with one out, Schlaefer flied out to center field to bring in Colgate's first run of the season.
 
Unfortunately the Raiders were unable to grab any more runs throughout the remainder of the game.
 
In the nightcap, the game was scoreless heading into the third inning. Stetson, however, took the 2-0 advantage to create a deficit between the teams.
 
During the bottom of that inning Murray singled to left center to get the leadoff man on base. With one out, Bushee reached on a fielder's choice, while Murray shifted to second. Following another out, Schlaefer loaded the bases before Dowling singled up the middle to score Murray, making it a 2-1 ballgame.
 
A big top of the fourth for the Hatters gave them a 5-2 edge before they tallied another run in the top of the sixth.
 
Colgate cut the lead in half on Grennan's first home run of the season but weren't able to get any closer.
 
The Raiders are back in action for day two of the Stetson Tournament when they face off with Troy and Alabama State beginning at 11 a.m.
 
Bottom Line
• Game One – Troy 9, Colgate 1
• Game Two – Stetson 12, Colgate 3

Won-Lost Records
• Troy improved to 11-7 on the year
• Stetson shifted to 9-3 overall
• Colgate dips to 0-2

Key Raider Info
• Grennan notched her first home run of the season, while Dowling earned her first double of the year.
• Schlaefer earned a team-high two RBIs on the day.
• Kira Griswold made her first career start as a pitcher during the Raiders nightcap.

Facts & Figures
• The Raiders compiled eight hits and four runs throughout the two games.
• Griswold, Brigit Ieuter and Megan Carnase all saw action in the circle on the day for the .
 
First Career Game
• Holly Geranen and Griswold both played in their first career games on Friday.
• Geranen earned four assists, while Griswold fanned five batters.
 
Straight From The Source
• Colgate head coach Melissa Finley: (on her overall thoughts from the game) " It was a tough first day for this squad. We had some first day cobwebs and didn't play up to our standards."

"The game against Stetson was a heartbreaker because we bet ourselves by giving up too many free bases. There were a lot of things we did right throughout that game and without a few key defensive missteps we gave ourselves a chance to win.

"I know my student-athletes are better than what they showed today and I'm looking forward to having another opportunity to take the field tomorrow and I know they are too."

Up Next
• The Raiders are back in action Saturday with a rematch game with Troy at 11 a.m. and with Alabama State at 1:30 p.m.
• Live stats available at the start of the game.