SALEM, Va. – The RMU softball team capped off the Hokie Classic in commanding fashion, overpowering Bucknell 14-1 in a five-inning run-rule victory. With the win, the Colonials improve to 4-4 on the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Colonials wasted no time setting the tone, as Alaina Koutsogiani launched a solo home run in the bottom of the first—her second in as many days. Moments later, freshman Mary Brant made her presence known, blasting a two-run shot to center field for her first career home run, giving RMU an early 3-0 lead.
 
Pitcher Madison DeVault kept the Bison off the board, delivering a strong performance in the circle. RMU's offense, meanwhile, continued to fire on all cylinders. Sequoia Dunlap led off the second inning with a single and quickly came around to score, extending the advantage to 4-0.
 
The third inning saw an offensive explosion. Koutsogiani singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring on an Anna Resnik sacrifice fly. The floodgates opened as RMU strung together a flurry of hits, including back-to-back-to-back doubles from Courtney Poulich, Brant, and Jess Matheny. By the time the dust settled, the Colonials had built a commanding 9-0 lead.
 
The relentless offense continued in the fourth, as Resnik drove in two with a single before Poulich capped off her dominant week with a towering three-run home run—her fourth of the season—to put RMU up 14-0. Bucknell managed to push across a run in the fifth, but it was too little, too late as the game ended via the run-rule.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• RMU outhit Bucknell 12-3 and stranded just one runner compared to the Bison's eight.
• Eight different Colonials recorded a hit, with multi-hit performances from Koutsogiani, Poulich, Brant, and Dunlap.
• Poulich and Koutsogiani led the team with three runs apiece, while Poulich and Resnik each tallied three RBIs.
• DeVault earned her second win of the season, going the distance with three hits allowed, one earned run, and two strikeouts over 108 pitches.

 
BRANT'S BREAKOUT
The freshman infielder showcased her versatility at the plate throughout the Hokie Classic, recording her first collegiate double, triple, and home run while driving in three runs over the weekend.
 
POULICH'S POWER SURGE
Poulich continued her red-hot stretch, crushing her third three-run homer of the tournament. Over her last 12 games, she is averaging 0.50 home runs per game, finishing the week with eight runs, seven hits, three walks, and 11 RBIs.
 
WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS
RMU's bats dominated Bucknell in their two matchups, tallying 30 runs on 28 hits.
 
HEAD COACH JEXX VARNER'S POSTGAME THOUGHTS
"I'm really happy with our team's response today. We wanted to finish this trip being .500 and nothing was going to stop us from that. That determination and killer instinct makes this offense very dangerous and as we work through the other factors we need to clean up, it'll make this team very hard to beat regardless of the opponent."
 
"It's really a lot of fun seeing the depth of our lineup and bench while also seeing the genuine joy and energy they have in each other's success. It makes us coaches very proud. We can't wait to get back on the field in Nashville next week!"
 
UP NEXT
The Colonials travel to Nashville, Tenn., for the Music City Classic next weekend. RMU will take on Lipscomb in a doubleheader on Friday, March 7, at 2:00 p.m., followed by another twin bill against Belmont on Saturday, March 8, at 1:00 p.m.
 
Follow The Colonials: Facebook | X | Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | RMU Athletics Gameday App