LEWISBURG, Pa. – Colgate rallied from two runs down in the sixth but ultimately dropped its Patriot League opener at Bucknell, 8-6.
The Raiders found themselves in a 3-0 hole heading into the top of the fourth.
With one out though
Tara Grennan sparked a small rally after she tripled to center field.
Marisa Dowling followed that up with a single to score Grennan. The Bison then recorded their second out of the inning but not before Dowling advanced to second on the play. During the next at bat
Gillian Murray singled to bring in Dowling for the Raiders' second run.
Another Bucknell run in the bottom of the fifth make it a 4-2 ballgame but a big sixth inning for the Raiders gave them their first edge in the game at 8-4.
Dowling,
Kate Zucker, Murray,
Katie Bushee and
Mariel Schlaefer all posted hits, which led to a four-run rally during the inning.
Unfortunately, the hosts answered with four runs of their own in the bottom half to ultimately secure the 8-6 victory.
Brigit Ieuter made the start in the circle for the Raiders pitching five strong innings allowing six hits and four runs, two of which were earned. Both
Kira Griswold and
Megan Carnase saw action as well pitching 0.2 and 0.1 innings, respectively.
These two teams will meet up again on Sunday for a doubleheader beginning at noon.
Bottom Line• Bucknell 8, Colgate 6
Won-Lost Records• Bucknell improves to 19-10 overall and 1-0 in Patriot League play
• Colgate dips to 4-10 and 0-1, respectively
Key Raider Info• Dowling was the Raiders' top performer going 2-for-3 on the day with two runs and one RBI.
• Murray posted two hits, one run and three RBI during her four at bats, which added to Colgate's final total
• Bushee, Schlaefer, Grennan, Zucker and Ieuter all earned hits on the day as well.
• Three pitchers saw action in the game in Ieuter, Griswold and Carnase.
• Ieuter notched the start and pitched five innings allowing six hits and four runs, two of which were earned, while fanning seven batters.
• Griswold came in for relief giving up two hits and four runs in her 0.2 innings of work, before Carnase closed out the last batter.
Facts & Figures• The Raiders tallied nine hits and six runs throughout the game.
• Colgate also notched five RBI, while stranding eight baserunners.
• Both Ieuter and Griswold earned at least one strikeout during their time in the circle.
Bucknell Numbers• Kristen Zahn led the Bison going 3-for-4 on the day with two runs and two RBI.
• Five other Bucknell players recorded one hit each
• Amanda Fazio pitched 5.1 innings allowing seven hits and five runs, all of which were earned. Dana Nielsen came in for relief and gave up two hits and one run, while also grabbing the win.
How It Happened• After a scoreless opening inning and a half, the Bison took the 2-0 edge in the bottom of the second.
• A lead-off single from Zahn started things off. She then advanced to second on a wild pitch before a foul out to right field shifted her to third. On the next at bat Erin Cox singled to right field, to bring in the first run of the game. Another single this time from Christina Martinez put runners on first and second. On the ensuing play, Carolyn Wan reached on an error, which allowed Cox to touch home.
• The Bison added one more run in the bottom of the third to take a 3-0 advantage heading into the top of the fourth.
• Colgate made it a 3-2 ballgame with two runs in the fourth though. With one out, Grennan tripled to center field to get a runner in scoring position. Dowling then followed that up with a single to score Grennan. Bucknell recorded its second out of the inning but not before Dowling advanced to second. On the ensuing play, Murray singled up the middle, which brought Dowling across home plate.
• Bucknell increased its edge to 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth but a big top of the sixth for the Raiders gave them the 6-4 lead.
• Dowling doubled to right field to start the inning. Zucker then singled, advancing to second on the throw, which shifted Dowling over the third. On the next at bat Murray doubled to left center scoring both baserunners to tie the score.
•
Alicia Daly then came in to pinch hit. She was tagged out at first but not before Murray advanced to third. After Bucknell had switched pitchers Ieuter completed a successful squeeze bunt, which allowed Murray to score and gave the Raiders the 5-4 advantage. During the next at bat Bushee singled to put runners on first and second. On the ensuing play Schlaefer then singled and Ieuter was able to touch home after an error.
• In the bottom half of the sixth, the Bison answered with a strong inning of their own, including two hits and four runs to grab the lead back at 8-6.
• Despite getting a lead-off runner on base Colgate was unable to convert and tie the game.
Straight From The Source•
Colgate head coach Melissa Finley: (on her thoughts from the day) "Offensively we had a great day today and saw a lot of different people step up. It took us a little while to get going but once we did, we came through in a big way. That's why it was so disappointing to see our defense allow Bucknell to take the game from us after we fought so hard for our comeback."
"They are a competitive team and we have to be mentally tougher than we were today in order to get the results that we want."
Up Next• The Raiders and Bison are back in action on Sunday for a doubleheader beginning at noon.
• Live stats and video available at the start of all games.
