Softball | 3/31/2025 5:30:00 PM
MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The RMU softball team returns to non-conference play against local rival Pitt on Tuesday, April 1, with first pitch set for 4:00 PM at Vartabedian Field. The game will stream live on ACC Network Extra.
RMU LATELY
RMU (14-10, 7-2 #HLSB) enters the matchup on a hot streak, winning three of their last four games and 10 of their last 11. Last week began with a 12-4 road victory over Kent State, highlighted by a six-RBI performance from
Courtney Poulich. Over the weekend, RMU bounced back from a narrow 7-6, 10-inning loss to IU Indy by sweeping Saturday's doubleheader in dominant fashion. The Colonials won both games via run-rule, 14-3 and 15-1, with Poulich driving in seven runs across the two contests while
Jess Matheny and
Logan Black each added three RBI.
Offensively, freshman
Mary Brant continues to excel, leading the team in batting average (.385), OPS (1.345), triples (3), and slugging percentage (.908). Poulich paces the Colonials in hits (27), home runs (8), RBI (31), and on-base percentage (.458). Leadoff hitter
Kaylyn Hopf has also collected 27 hits, while
Alaina Koutsogiani leads the team in stolen bases with eight.
On the mound,
Madison DeVault leads RMU in all major categories with a 2.91 ERA, five wins, and 56 strikeouts.
PRIME PERFORMERS
Courtney Poulich and
Madison DeVault put together standout performances over the past week. Poulich went 8-for-16 (.500) over four games, driving in 13 runs and scoring eight times. Her impressive stat line included three home runs, four doubles, and one triple, along with two walks and a stolen base. Poulich's two-homer game against IU Indy marked her third career multi-HR outing.
DeVault was just as effective in the circle, pitching 9.2 innings against IU Indy while allowing only two earned runs. She struck out nine batters across two appearances, posting a 1.44 ERA and earning her team-leading fifth win of the season.
ALL-TIME VS. PITT
RMU and Pitt have faced off 42 times since 1998, with Pitt holding a 24-17-1 advantage. The teams last met during the 2024 season, with Pitt earning a 4-1 victory.
Catalina Saxen drove in RMU's lone run with an RBI single that scored
Kaylyn Hopf.
The Colonials are averaging 3.4 runs per game against the Panthers and will be looking to earn their first win over Pitt since 2014.
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
Pitt (12-20, 2-10 #ACC) is coming off a series loss to Boston College but earned a 6-2 extra-inning win in the series finale.
Offensively, outfielder Ahmari Braden leads Pitt in several categories, including batting average (.353), OPS (.944), runs (19), hits (30), triples (2), slugging percentage (.529), and on-base percentage (.415).
Infielder Kaitlyn Brannstrom has driven in a team-high 23 RBI with four home runs. In the circle, senior Kyra Pittman holds a team-best 4.17 ERA and seven wins, while freshman Gwen Sparks leads the Panthers with 42 strikeouts.
UP NEXT
RMU returns to Horizon League play this weekend, hosting Northern Kentucky for a three-game series scheduled for April 4-5.
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