INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The RMU softball team's offense erupted for 29 runs during a dominant doubleheader sweep over IU Indy, winning 14-3 and 15-1 to secure the series victory. With the two wins, the Colonials improve to 14-10 overall and 7-2 in Horizon League play, having won 10 of their last 11 contests.
GAME 1: RMU 14, IU Indy 3
The Colonials wasted no time getting on the board in the top of the first inning.
Anna Resnik drew a walk, setting up
Courtney Poulich, who launched a two-run homer to give RMU an early lead.
IU Indy responded with a run in the bottom of the first to tie the game, but the Colonials answered back in the second and never looked back.
Sequoia Dunlap singled, and
Logan Black followed with RMU's second home run of the day, pushing the lead to 4-2.
The Colonials' offense exploded in the third. Poulich reached on a fielder's choice, advanced to second on a passed ball, and then moved to third on a wild pitch.
Mary Brant walked and stole second.
Alaina Koutsogiani's fielder's choice brought home Poulich.
Jess Matheny's single drove in both Koutsogiani and Brant, and after
Katlyn Jardine walked,
Kaylyn Hopf singled up the middle to score two more runs, making it 9-2.
RMU continued their offensive barrage in the fourth. Poulich doubled, Brant and Koutsogiani both singled, and a throwing error allowed Poulich to score. Matheny's double to right field brought home Brant, and Dunlap's sacrifice fly scored Koutsogiani, extending the lead to 12-2.
Poulich capped off her incredible game in the fifth inning with her second home run, a solo shot that increased the lead to 14-2. IU Indy managed one more run in the bottom of the inning, but RMU closed it out via the run-rule, 14-3.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- RMU outhit IU Indy 14-5. The Colonials drew four walks while the Jaguars had none.
- Multi-hit performances from Poulich (3), Resnik, Brant, Koutsogiani, and Matheny.
- Poulich (4), Matheny (3), Hopf, and Black all recorded multi-RBI games.
- Poulich scored a career-high four runs.
- In the circle, Madelyn Coleman pitched a complete game, tallying four strikeouts.
GAME 2: RMU 15, IU Indy 1
The Colonials kept the momentum rolling with an explosive nine-run first inning. Leadoff hitter
Kaylyn Hopf doubled, followed by an RBI double from Resnik. After a walk by Poulich, Resnik scored on a wild pitch, making it 2-0.
Brant walked and stole second, setting up a sacrifice fly from Koutsogiani to score Poulich. Dunlap's sacrifice fly brought in Brant. With two outs, RMU continued the pressure. Black hit an RBI single, followed by a 2-RBI triple from Hopf. Resnik added another RBI single, and Poulich delivered a 2-RBI double, capping the inning at 9-0.
IU Indy's lone run came unearned in the bottom of the first, but RMU's offense continued to shine.
In the second inning, Koutsogiani walked, stole second, advanced to third, and scored on a catcher's error, making it 10-1.
Resnik singled in the third before Brant crushed a two-run homer, increasing the lead to 12-1.
The Colonials kept piling on in the fourth. Dunlap doubled, Jardine recorded an RBI, Resnik walked, and Poulich added a 2-RBI double to make it 15-1.
IU Indy couldn't muster a response as RMU completed the series win with a run-rule victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- RMU outhit IU Indy 13-2, drawing eight walks compared to the Jaguars' one.
- The top of the Colonials lineup dominated: Hopf (2 runs, 2 hits, 2 RBI), Resnik (4 runs, 3 hits, 2 RBI), Poulich (1 run, 2 hits, 3 RBI), Brant (2 runs, 1 hit, 2 RBI). K. Jardine also scored twice and drew two walks.
- Madison DeVault pitched all five innings, allowing no earned runs and striking out five batters.
POULICH'S POWER
The Greensburg, Pa. native drove in seven RBI on the day, hitting two home runs in the first game—her third career multi-HR game. She also added three doubles and a stolen base. Poulich now leads the Horizon League in RBI (31), home runs (8), and runs scored (25).
MILESTONES REACHED
- Alaina Koutsogiani scored three runs this series, surpassing 100 career runs scored. She also leads the Horizon League in stolen bases with eight.
- Jess Matheny played in her 150th career game, amassing 74 hits, 42 RBI, and 39 runs over her four seasons at RMU.
CONFERENCE DOMINANCE
The Colonials' offense shined throughout the three-game series against IU Indy, producing 35 runs—the most RMU has scored in a series since joining the Horizon League. Through nine conference games this season (vs. Oakland, Green Bay, IU Indy), RMU has tallied 71 runs, averaging 7.89 runs per game.
QUOTABLE – HEAD COACH JEXX VARNER
"Today was a great offensive day, but it was the mental response that I'm most proud of. Yesterday was tough and a reality check in many ways. There's a lot we can control in our losses, and we took care of those today. Our mental toughness and determination were excellent. We've lost two games in conference so far but immediately followed them up with run-rule sweeps. That's the type of answer we need."
"The offense was humming this week. Scoring 29 runs and 28 hits in 10 innings of work is impressive. Adding that to the week, we scored 47 runs and only gave up 13. It was a dominant week, and we look forward to keeping it going over the next couple of weeks with important games ahead."
UP NEXT
RMU returns home to host Pitt at the North Athletic Complex for a single game on Tuesday, April 1, at 4:00 PM.
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