GAMES 19-21
RMU (11-7 / 0-0 #HLSB) @ Detroit Mercy (0-13 / 0-3 #HLSB)
Thursday, March 17, 2022 • 2:00 p.m. (DH)
Friday, March 18, 2022 • 11:00 a.m.
Buysse Ballpark • Detroit, Mich.
 
Cracker Jack & Sunflower Seeds (Dubble Bubble, Too)
 
- The RMU softball team returns to action after over a week off by opening Horizon League play with a three-game series in Detroit, Mich., against Detroit Mercy at Buysse Ballpark.
 
- Originally slated to play the opener of the series against the Titans Friday, March 18, and a doubleheader Saturday, March 19, RMU and UDM will now play a double dip on Saint Patrick's Day beginning at 2:00 p.m. due to inclement weather approaching the Detroit area. The two teams will conclude the three-game set Friday with an 11:00 a.m. first pitch.
 
- RMU has been off for a week after having its 2022 home opener against Green Bay at the North Athletic Complex postponed twice. Mother Nature dumped eight inches of snow on the Pittsburgh region Saturday, March 12, forcing the first postponement, and a second attempt to get the games in this week was also postponed until Monday, April 4.
 
- In a poll of Horizon League head coaches, RMU was picked to finish fourth in the 2022 preseason poll. Tabbed as the favorite was Oakland, which was followed by Youngstown State and UIC. The Colonials are led by head coach Jexx Varner, who is in his fourth season at the helm of the program. He has posted a record of 58-74 (.439) in his tenure at RMU.
 
- Freshman Anna Resnik leads the Colonials with a .326 (14-for-43) batting average, which ranks eighth in the Horizon League. She is tied for the team lead in multi-hit efforts (3) with sophomore Charlotte Grover and redshirt freshman Meadow Sacadura and is one of two Colonials so far this season that has collected three hits in a game twice, joining senior Erika Bell.
 
- RMU sits third in #HLSB in earned run average (ERA) at 3.70, trailing just UIC (3.29) and Youngstown State (3.32). The Colonials pace the Horizon League in shutouts (3) and also own three saves, with fifth-year Taylor Rhinehart owning a pair.
 
- The Colonials return home to the North Athletic Complex hoping the third time is the charm to open their home slate. RMU welcomes Akron Tuesday, March 22, for a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 2:00 p.m.

DETROIT MERCY LINKS
- Video (3/17/22 - Game 1)
- Video (3/17/22 - Game 2)
- Video (3/18/22)
- Live Stats
- RMU Athletics Gameday App
 
The All-Time Series (Detroit Mercy) – Due to the weather postponing its series with Green Bay (twice), the Colonials will open their Horizon League slate against the Titans for the second consecutive year. Last season, the two teams split four games at the North Athletic Complex. Overall, UDM holds a 7-6 (.538) advantage in the all-time series. In the four-game series last year, senior Erika Bell hit safely in each contest, hitting .455 (5-for-11) with two runs and four RBI.
 
Start Me Up – Freshman Alaina Koutsogiani has fit in nicely at the top of the lineup for the Colonials, as the rookie enters Horizon League play ranked in the top 10 in the circuit in five categories. In addition to pacing the league in walks (11) and stolen bases (16), Koutsogiani is tied for second in hit by pitch (6) while sitting third in on-base percentage (.463) and tied for seventh in runs (11). Koutsogiani, who has reached base safely in 16 of her first 18 games in an RMU uniform, is already just eight steals shy of snapping an RMU single-season record that has stood for over 30 years. The single-season mark of 23 was established in 1990 by former Colonial Kelli Miller (1990-93). Miller also owns the career mark for thefts with 58.  
 
Shine On You Crazy Diamond – Junior Rachael Rhinehart has taken the next step in her development from the circle, as she enters RMU's series @ Detroit Mercy leading the Horizon League in six categories. In addition to pacing #HSLB in earned run average (0.94), Rhinehart is tops in the league in opponent batting average (.139) while allowing the fewest earned runs (4), walks (7), runs (7) and hits (14). During RMU's spring break trip to the Pacific Northwest, Rhinehart finished 1-1 with an ERA of 0.51, striking out 17 in 13.2 innings of work. Overall during the 2022 campaign, Rhinehart is 4-1 from the circle with 29 strikeouts.
 
Player of the Week – Sophomore Charlotte Grover, named to the 2021 Horizon League All-Freshman Team, earned the first weekly honor of her career for her role in RMU's 5-0 mark at the Winthrop Invitational. She was named #HLSB Player of the Week (2/22/22) after hitting .357 (5-for-14) at the invite with four runs, a home run and a pair of RBI. Her biggest hit came in a 2-1 win over the host Eagles, as her solo shot to lead off the top of the seventh tied the game, 1-1.

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