WEST POINT, N.Y. – Colgate softball defeated Army on Thursday afternoon to complete the series sweep and earn their fifth win in the last six games.
 
The Raiders took the contest 5-4 making it the first time since the 2012 season they beat the Black Knights in three regular season games. Colgate registered 3-of-4 wins that year.
 
Brigit Ieuter led Colgate on the day going 2-of-3 with one run and one RBI. Mariel Schlaefer and Gillian Murray added two hits during their four at bats and both added an RBI in the contest.
 
It was a joint effort from three Raider pitchers in Ieuter, Kira Griswold and Megan Carnase. Ieuter started the game pitching 3.1 innings allowing four hits and two runs, one of which was earned. Griswold came in for relief pitching 2.1 innings giving up four hits and two runs, while Carnase finished the game pitching 1.1 innings allowing just one hit to get the save.
 
The Black Knights jumped out to the early 1-0 edge after the first but Colgate answered in the top of the second to take a 2-1 lead. Army would fight back to tie the game in the fourth inning but a big sixth inning for the Raiders handed them the 5-2 advantage. The Black Knights would spark a small rally in the bottom half of that inning but strong pitching from Carnase ultimately secured the victory for Colgate.
 
With the win, Colgate now shifts its win total to nine games, including five straight.
 
The Raiders finally get to break in Eaton Street Field on Wednesday when they host nearby rival Cornell in a doubleheader during their next outing. That twin bill is slated for a 3:30 p.m. start. Live stats and video will be available at the start of the games.
 
Bottom Line
• Colgate 5, Army 4

Won-Lost Records
• Colgate shifts to 9-10 overall, while improving to 5-1 in Patriot League play
• Army dips to 12-18 and 3-3, respectively.

Key Raider Info
• Ieuter had a strong outing overall for the Raiders going 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI, while pitching 3.1 innings allowing just four hits and two runs, one of which was earned.  
• Schlaefer and Murray both finished 2-for-4 on the day with each one reeling in an RBI. Murray also accounted for two of Colgate's final five runs.  
• Katie Bushee, Holly Geranen and Alex Gadinao made up the rest of Colgate's final hits total with one a piece.
• Schlaefer, Geranen and Murray all notched doubles in the game, while Bushee, Murray and Kate Zucker each converted for a stolen base.
• Three different Colgate pitchers took the circle with Ieuter getting the start. Both Griswold and Carnase came in for relief.
• Ieuter pitched 3.1 innings giving up four hits and two runs, one earned, before Griswold came in allowing four hits and two runs during her 2.1 innings of work. Carnase closed out the game pitching 1.1 innings giving up just one hit in the save.

Facts & Figures
• The Raiders tallied five runs on nine hits throughout the game.  
• Colgate also registered four RBI, all from different batters, but stranded eight base runners.
• The pitching crew combined for four strikeouts.
 
Army's Numbers
• Kristen McPeek went 2-for-4 with two runs to lead the Black Knights.
• Kasey McCravey also grabbed two hits during her four at bats, while grabbing one run herself.
• The hosts saw two pitchers take the circle in Caroline Smith and Kristen West.
• Smith earned the start going five innings allowing four runs on seven hits. West then came in for relief giving up two hits and one run during her two innings of work.
 
How It Happen
• The Black Knights jumped out to the early 1-0 edge after the first inning.
• Colgate wasted little time trailing though as they recorded the tying and go-ahead run in the second inning.
• Geranen led off with a double before a Murray single brought her home to knot the score at 1-all. Ieuter then converted on a sacrifice bunt to shift Murray into scoring position. Gadiano again moved Murray up a base with a ground out for the second out of the inning. During the next at bat Zucker was hit by a pitch to place runners on the corners before head coach Melissa Finley called for a double steal. The play worked perfectly handing the Raiders the 2-1 advantage after Murray touched home.
• Army pulled even in the fourth inning, but a strong sixth inning for Colgate gave them a 5-2 lead.
• Murray started the inning with a lead-off double to left center, before Ieuter singled during the next at bat to bring home the Raiders first run of the inning. After a pitching change from Army, Gadiano hit a sacrifice bunt to advance Ieuter to second. Pinch hitter Alessandra Moore then grounded out to shift Ieuter over to third. On the ensuing play Bushee singled to right field to easily score Ieuter. The sophomore then stole second before Schlaefer doubled to bring her home.
• The Black Knights made it interesting with two runs of their own in the bottom half of that inning but strong pitching from Carnase secured the victory for the Raiders.
 
Straight From The Source
• Colgate head coach Melissa Finley: (on her thoughts from the day) "It was another battle today and we were able to play great softball to pull off another win. I am really pleased with our consistent mentality and ability to win the close games. We were relentless and it was great to see the middle of our lineup come up big in clutch situations."
 
"We are looking forward to our home stretch and will be working hard to prepare for Cornell and Lafayette next week."

Up Next
• The Raiders next welcome nearby rival Cornell for a doubleheader on Wednesday at Eaton Street Field. The day will mark Colgate's first home games of the year and the twin bill is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.
• Live stats and video available at the start of the game.