WEST POINT, N.Y. – Colgate softball shifted its winning streak to four-game after a doubleheader sweep of Army on Wednesday night.
The Raiders jumped out to a quick lead in game one and never looked back taking a 5-1 victory to open the day. Then in a battle during the nightcap, the Raiders won a 10-inning thriller 3-2 thanks to a solo home run by rookie
Holly Geranen.
Geranen finished her monster day going 5-for-7 with two runs and one RBI.
Katie Bushee and
Mariel Schlaefer both added four hits during their seven at bats, while Bushee accounted for four runs and Schlaefer one run and one RBI.
Game one was all Colgate, as the Raiders scored at least one run in each of the opening three innings to take a 5-0 edge. Colgate ultimately secured the win despite allowing the Black Knights to grab one run back in the bottom of the third.
Brigit Ieuter pitched a complete game giving up just four hits and one unearned run.
In a back-and-forth game two the Raiders held the lead twice throughout the scheduled seven innings but weren't able to stay ahead. Army fought back in the bottom of the third and fifth after being down by one run each time to tie the game. After neither team was able to break the deadlock in the remaining two innings and the contest was forced into extra innings. It wasn't until the top of the 10th that the Raiders were finally able to pull ahead, this time for good. Geranen's long-ball was the game-winning hit as she drilled the ball over the left-field fence for her third career homer.
Kira Griswold and
Megan Carnase split the time in the circle for the Raiders during game two. Griswold got the start and allowed three hits and two runs, before Carnase took the circle, giving up just four hits.
These two teams have one final contest of this three-game series on Thursday at 3 p.m. Colgate is looking for the complete sweep of the set, while the Black Knights are looking to grab their fourth conference win.
Bottom Line• Colgate 5, Army 1
• Colgate 3, Army 2 – 10 innings
Won-Lost Records• Colgate improves to 8-10 overall, while shifting to 4-1 in Patriot League play
• Army slants to 12-17 and 3-2, respectively.
Key Raider Info• Geranen led the Raiders with five hits, two runs and one RBI during her seven at bats.
• The rookie also posted her third career homer.
• Bushee and Schlaefer both went 4-for-7, with Bushee adding four runs and Schlaefer a run and RBI.
•
Tara Grennan also helped the Raiders in the twin bill going 2-for-8 with a run and an RBI.
• Three pitchers saw action in the games with Ieuter pitching a complete game to kick off the day and Griswold and Carnase combining in the nightcap.
• Ieuter gave up just four hits and one run, while Griswold allowed three hits and two runs and Carnase only four hits.
Facts & Figures• On the day the Raiders accumulated eight runs and 19 hits.
• Colgate also notched seven RBIs, while its pitchers fanned a total of 12 batters.
• The Raiders stranded 13 base runners, included 10 in game two alone.
Straight From The Source•
Colgate head coach Melissa Finley: (on her thoughts from the doubleheader) "This team came out to play today. We fought and battled hard for two wins and everyone played a part."
"In the first game Brigit (Ieuter) pitched very well and had some early run support. It was great to see us play consistent with a lead today and shut them down with our defense."
"In the second game
Holly Geranen had a fantastic game and not only had the game-winning home run but had some huge plays defensively for us.
Megan Carnase also stepped up in the circle and held them off long enough for us to take the lead. All around it was a great team effort and I'm really proud of this group."
Up Next• The Raiders and Black Knights will meet for one final contest on Thursday at 3 p.m. to close our their three-game regular season series
• Live stats and video available at the start of the game.
