Raiders Beat Minnesota in Saturday's Split

Colgate Softball beat first Big Ten opponent since 2017

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 LEESBURG, Fla. – Colgate Softball split the day in Leesburg, Fla., after beating Minnesota 4-3 and falling 5-4 to Marshall.

Today's win over the Gophers is the Raiders' first win over a Big Ten opponent since the 2017 season when Colgate topped Rutgers 5-4.

Junior Kara Fusco led the Raiders with four RBI and hits on the day. Freshman Alexa Acker appeared in both games, pitching a total of eight innings and allowing only two runs.

GAME 1 | Colgate 4, Minnesota 3

Both teams got on the board in the first. Jillian Herbst scored the Raiders' first run of the 2023 season after reaching home plate. Senior Adrienne Nardone singled to right field to advance freshman Dani Rosner and allow Herbst to score an unearned run.

The Gophers broke the tie in the third inning, scoring two runs off senior Bailey Misken to give Minnesota a 3-1 lead.

Freshman Alexa Acker came in relief for Misken after two outs and two on base in the top of the fourth. Luckily for the Raiders, the Gophers flew out to center to end the inning, but Colgate couldn't muster any offense in the bottom of the fourth, with the Gophers tossing three quick outs.

A two-run RBI from senior Steph Jacoby brought home Taylor Ludwick and Fusco, who tied up the game at three runs at the bottom of the fifth inning.

Though Minnesota got back-to-back hits off Acker, the Gophers struck out looking to end the top of the sixth. The Raiders took the lead and eventually the game in the bottom of the sixth after Fusco flew out to right field to allow Nardone to rush home and put the Raiders up 4-3.

Acker secured her first collegiate win after getting three outs in four attempts. Minnesota tried to make some noise after getting a hit on Acker's second pitch, but back-to-back outs stomped any chances of Minnesota coming back.

NOTES

Jacoby led the Raider offense, going 3-for-3 at the plate, along with two RBI.
Misken allowed three hits in 3 2/3 innings while striking out two Gophers during her time on the bump.
Acker allowed zero runs and struck out two batters in 3 1/3 innings.
Fusco led the defense with nine putouts, while Rachel Carney had six assists.

GAME 2 | Marshall 5, Colgate 4

Freshman Maya Servedio got the nod for the nightcap making her collegiate starting debut for Colgate. Servedio got three quick outs in the first, not allowing any hits.

Colgate tried to bring its offensive momentum into the start of the game with two hits from Fusco and Nardone, but unfortunately, the Raiders were left on base.

The bats started to get hot for both teams in the second, with Marshall getting on the board first with a home run off Servedio's first pitch of the inning.

The Raiders retaliated in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs thanks to a single from Fusco, who brought home Herbst, Elizabeth Nitka, and Jacoby.

The Herd trailed by one after the top of the third inning, scoring back-to-back runs to trail 4-3. Acker came into the game for Servedio after the two runs and got the final two out for Colgate but allowed Marshall to walk in-between outs.

Acker was strong in innings four through six, holding the Herd to only two hits while striking out two. Colgate tried to gain some offense back with Nitka getting a hit in the bottom of the fourth, but the bats couldn't produce much more.

Both offenses were quiet till Marshall scored two runs in the top of the seventh to take the game at 5-4.

NOTES

Fusco went 2-for-3 at the plate, leading the Raiders with three RBI.
Acker struck out 3-of-21 faced batters, allowing four hits in 4 2/3 innings.

FROM THE SOURCE
Head Softball Coach Marissa Lamison-Myers

"Our pitching staff was incredible today. Alexa showed grit coming in and allowing our offense to heat up. She showed real maturity in both games, and I couldn't be prouder of her. Kara did a great job today. I am proud of the way she approached the play in both games. Overall, I am so proud of the way we bounced back from a tough opening day. This team has an edge to them. I can't wait to watch them hit their stride."

UP NEXT
Colgate (1-3) wraps up the Spring Games Tournament on Sunday against Butler, with first pitch scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

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Players Mentioned

#21 Rachel Carney: IF; 5' 2"; Senior

#2 Kara Fusco: INF; 5' 8"; Junior

#11 Jillian Herbst: UTL; 5' 5"; Sophomore

#13 Steph Jacoby: OF; 5' 6"; Senior

#18 Taylor Ludwick: OF; 5' 4"; Senior

#25 Bailey Misken: P; 5' 7"; Senior

#12 Adrienne Nardone: UTL; 5' 7"; Senior

#4 Elizabeth Nitka: INF; 5' 5"; Junior

#20 Maya Servedio: P; 5' 10"; First Year

#27 Alexa Acker: P; 6' 1"; First Year

Players Mentioned

#21 Rachel Carney
: 5' 2"; Senior
: IF

#2 Kara Fusco
: 5' 8"; Junior
: INF

#11 Jillian Herbst
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: UTL

#13 Steph Jacoby
: 5' 6"; Senior
: OF

#18 Taylor Ludwick
: 5' 4"; Senior
: OF

#25 Bailey Misken
: 5' 7"; Senior
: P

#12 Adrienne Nardone
: 5' 7"; Senior
: UTL

#4 Elizabeth Nitka
: 5' 5"; Junior
: INF

#20 Maya Servedio
: 5' 10"; First Year
: P

#27 Alexa Acker
: 6' 1"; First Year
: P