DELAND, Fla. – Despite a 3-for-3 performance from junior Gillian Murray, Colgate Softball dropped a 7-4 decision to Pittsburgh here Friday morning in its season opener.

In the nightcap of a split doubleheader, Colgate fell behind host Stetson by six runs and nearly came all the way back in an 8-6 defeat.
 
In the opener, it was a 4-4 ballgame heading into the final inning against the ACC's Panthers. But a three-run top of the seventh handed Pitt the needed runs to secure the victory at the Stetson Invitational.
 
The Raiders tried to answer in the bottom half of the inning after Tara Grennan singled and Murray walked, but their rally fell just short.
 
Murray went 3-for-3 in the game, including her first long ball of the season to account for two runs and three RBIs. Grennan chipped in two hits in four at bats, while five other student-athletes recorded one hit each.
 
Brigit Ieuter had a solid game, pitching 6.1 innings and allowing seven hits and seven runs with just three being earned. The senior recorded her first four strikeouts of the season as well.

Bushee Drives in Four
In the second game, Colgate fell behind Stetson 6-0 after four innings. But Katie Bushee in the top of the fifth drilled a one-out homer to left center to get the Raiders on the board and spark a turnaround.

Colgate kept the momentum going in the sixth inning, scoring three more times to pull within 6-5. Alessandra Moore's bases-loaded walk pushed home the first run, and then Bushee punched a two-run single through the middle.

After Stetson scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to make it 8-5, Colgate answered one last time. Consecutive one-out singles from Holly Geranen and Grennan placed runners at the corners. Murray forced Grennan at second as Geranen crossed, but Colgate's rally ended there in the 8-6 defeat.

Stetson improved to 9-4 heading into its game later Friday against Providence.

Murray got the pitching loss for Colgate after a three-run first inning. Kyle Griswold and Megan Carnase combined to pitch 5 and 2-3 innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits and striking out five.

Bushee and Grennan were both 2-for-4 in the second game, with Bushee contributing four RBIs. Murray, Geranen and Dowling also had Colgate hits.

Bottom Line
• Game One – Pittsburgh 7, Colgate 4
• Game Two – Stetson 8, Colgate 6

Straight From The Source
• Colgate head coach Melissa Finley: (on her overall thoughts from the game) ""What an exciting first day of softball.
 
"I thought the team battled hard today and even though we didn't get the outcomes that we wanted there were a lot of positives. We were relentless and set the standard for how we are going to take the field every time we play this season. We got into a little trouble with some defensive miscues in both games but we answered with some really high quality at bats. We hit the ball hard today and good things will keep happening if we have that consistent approach.
 
(on game one) "I thought Brigit (Ieuter) pitched very well in the first game and Gillian Murray had a standout game with a home run and a diving catch in left field.
 
(on game two) "In the second game we were able to stay in it despite a tough start. Kyle (Griswold) and Megan (Carnase) did a great job in relief as well. It was one of those games where we hit it really hard right at people and it was only a matter of time before we were going to break through. Unfortunately, we came up just a little short.
 
"We had opportunities to win both games today and the more we play the more we will take care of the ball on defense and have positives outcomes."

Up Next
• Colgate is back in action with two more games Saturday. The Raiders take on Southern Illinois at 12:15 p.m., and face Providence at 2:30 p.m.
• Live scoring is available for all games of the Stetson Invitational.