DELAND, Fla. – After three tough games to open the season, Colgate finally recorded its first victory of the year and it came in overwhelming fashion.
The Raiders exploded for six runs in the fifth inning and five in the seventh to claim an 11-0 shutout win over Alabama State in the consolation game of the Stetson Classic on Sunday morning.
It was a pitchers duel in the opening four innings as junior
Brigit Ieuter was solid in the circle for the Raiders allowing only five hits.
The Raiders then backed her up with a strong fifth inning to give her some breathing room.
With three consecutive singles from
Katie Bushee,
Mariel Schlaefer and
Marisa Dowling, the bases were loaded.
Tara Grennan continued her weekend tear with another single to bring in two Colgate runs. A sacrifice bunt from
Holly Geranen advanced the runners to second and third before
Gillian Murray cleared the bases with a long ball to right field. The Raiders tallied one more run late in the inning after Ieuter touched home plate on a wild pitch to create a six-run deficit between the teams.
Colgate then added five more runs in the seventh inning, including a three-run shot from Grennan to ultimately secure the Raiders the win. With Grennan's homer, the sophomore has now hit three home runs in as many games.
Ieuter earned her first victory of the year after pitching seven innings, giving up just nine hits.
Colgate is back in action March 13-15 at the USF Tournament in Tampa, Florida. The Raiders are scheduled to meet Hartford, UMass. Lowell, Central Connecticut State, Seton Hall and Quinnipiac during that event.
Bottom Line• Colgate 11, Alabama State 0
Won-Lost Records• Colgate improves to 1-3 on the year
• Alabama State drops to 3-15
Key Raider Info• Grennan hit her third long ball in as many games and second consecutive multi-run home run game.
• Five Raiders tallied two or more hits on Sunday with Schlaefer leading the way finishing the game going 3-for-4 with two runs and one walk.
• Dowling also had a strong performance going 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBIs and two walks.
• Bushee and Grennan went 2-for-5, while Geranen notched two hits in her four at bats.
• Ieuter pitched a complete game allowing only nine hits during her time in the circle. Her record now shifts to 1-1 on the year.
Facts & Figures• The Raiders notched 14 hits and brought in 11 runs for a season-high. Colgate also accumulated 10 RBIs on the day.
• The Raiders earned seven walks compared to the Hornets' one.
• All 11 of Colgate's runs on Sunday were earned.
All-Tournament Team• Both Grennan and Schlaefer were named to the Stetson Tournament All-Tournament Team.
• Grennan finished the weekend with four hits, three home runs and 13 RBIs; while Schlaefer earned six hits, three runs, one double and two RBIs.
Straight From The Source•
Colgate head coach Melissa Finley: (on her overall thoughts from the game) "It was a very well played game for us and I was happy to see our defense come up big early in the game in some tough situations. We played with confidence and it was great to see everyone contribute. It was a complete team victory."
"Brigit (Ieuter) had a great command of her pitches and it took us a few innings to string some together but we showed some good power throughout our line up."
Up Next• The Raiders are back in action March 13 at the USF Tournament when they face off with Hartford and UMass. Lowell beginning at 1:45 p.m. The Raiders will also meet up with Central Connecticut State, Seton Hall and Quinnipiac.
• Live stats available at the start of the game.
