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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Colgate closed out its season here Friday on the second day of the Patriot League Tournament.
The Raiders defeated Army West Point in the first elimination game of the day 4-2 but fell short against Bucknell 4-1 in the day's second 'win or go home' game.
Overall Colgate finished with a 17-21 record and held a 9-9 conference mark, their best finish since the 2012 season.
On the day
Katie Bushee was Colgate's best hitter going 4-for-6 with two runs and one RBI. Both
Mariel Schlaefer and
Holly Geranen added two hits each, while Schlaefer also accounted for a run and a team-best three RBIs.
In game one strong pitching from
Brigit Ieuter and a two-run home run from Schlaefer helped Colgate defeat Army West Point.
The Raiders secured a 4-2 victory over the Black Knights to make it a perfect 4-0 against Army this season.
Colgate's strong defense forced Army to strand 10 base runners, while the Raiders left only two on base.
The Raiders took the 2-0 edge after the third inning and then added two more in the fifth thanks to Schlaefer's blast over the left field fence. Army made it interesting with two run of its own in the sixth but Colgate was able to hold on and grab the needed outs to secure victory.
With the victory head coach
Melissa Finley earned her first career postseason win at the helm, while the Raiders recorded their first since the 2011 season.
In the nightcap Bucknell jumped out to the 2-0 edge after the third inning. The Bison added two more runs in the fifth and despite a small rally from the Raiders in the sixth, in which they tallied their lone run of the game, Bucknell was able to hold on to advance to the championship game against host Lehigh on Saturday.
Bottom Line• Colgate 4, Army West Point 2 - Game One
• Bucknell 4, Colgate 1 - Game Two
Won-Lost Records• Colgate finishes its season with a 17-21 overall record and a 9-9 mark in Patriot League play.
• Bucknell improves to 35-19 overall.
• Army West Point closed out its season with a 23-27-1 record.
Key Raider Info• Bushee led the Raiders on the day going 4-for-6 with two runs and one RBI.
• Schlaefer and Geranen both added two hits each while
Marisa Dowling chipped in one herself. Schlaefer posted one run and a team-high three RBIs on the day as well.
• Ieuter and
Alex Gadiano also accounted for one of Colgate's final five runs.
• Senior
Kate Zucker registered 13 putouts at first base, while Schlaefer accounted for nine.
• Three Raider pitchers saw action on the day with Ieuter earning both starts. She pitched 5.2 strong innings in the opener allowing nine hits and two before Carnase came in for relief finishing the final 1.1 innings giving up just one hit.
• In the nightcap Ieuter pitched the opening 1.1 innings giving up just one unearned run. Carnase again came in for relief pitching the next 3.2 innings allowing five hits and three runs, one of which was earned. Closing out the game was rookie
Kira Griswold who gave up just one hit in the final two innings.
Facts & Figures• On the day Colgate recorded five runs and nine hits.
• The Raiders also notched five RBIs but stranded five base runners.
• In total the pitching staff fanned eight batters during their time in the circle.
Straight From The Source•
Colgate head coach Melissa Finley: (on her thoughts from the day's games as well as the season) "I am incredibly honored to have had the opportunity to coach this group of young women. They have been one of the most enjoyable teams I have ever worked with and they worked unbelievably hard to get to where they are."
"While we didn't play to our full potential against Bucknell or get the outcome we wanted, this team fought until the last out and we had a lot of people who stepped up and played big this tournament."
"I want to thank Kate (Zucker) and Alyssa (Chaulklin) for their blood, sweat and tears over the past four years. I know they will go on to do great things."
"I am already looking forward to the future as this was a huge learning experience for the team."
