PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The RMU softball team delivered a strong performance on both sides of the ball, defeating Pitt 7-1 behind seven runs of offense and a complete-game effort from pitcher Madison DeVault. With the victory, the Colonials improve to 15-10 overall and have won 11 of their last 12 games.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless first inning, RMU broke through in the second. Redshirt freshman Sequoia Dunlap launched her first home run of the day to center field, giving the Colonials a 1-0 lead.
 
In the fourth inning, freshman Mary Brant added to the lead with a solo shot, making it 2-0.
 
The Colonials continued to build their advantage in the fifth. After Dunlap reached on an error, Katlyn Jardine and Logan Black grounded out to move her to third. Sophomore Kaylyn Hopf then reached on an error, bringing Dunlap home to push the lead to 3-0.
 
With DeVault keeping the Panthers' offense in check, RMU struck again in the sixth. Courtney Poulich drew a walk, followed by Alaina Koutsogiani ripping a single to right field and stealing second—her ninth stolen base of the season.
 
Dunlap then smashed her second home run of the game, a three-run shot to center, extending RMU's lead to 6-0.
 
Pitt managed their only run of the game in the bottom of the sixth, as leadoff hitter Kylie Griggs hit a solo home run.
 
RMU added one more run in the seventh. Hopf singled, Resnik followed with another single, and Poulich drove in Hopf with a hit to left field, making it 7-1.
 
The Panthers put two runners on base in their final at-bat, but a diving catch by Resnik sealed the win, giving RMU their first victory over Pitt since 2014.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• RMU outhit Pitt 8-3. The Colonials left five runners on base, while the Panthers left three.
• Both teams earned just one walk each.
• Pitt utilized three pitchers, with starter Kyra Pittman taking the loss.

 
DUNLAP DINGERS
Sequoia Dunlap led RMU with three runs, two hits, and four RBI. Her two-home run performance marked the first multi-HR game of her career. The Uniontown, Pa. native tied her career-best of four RBI, a mark she previously reached with a grand slam against Penn State. This season, Dunlap has appeared in 24 games, recording 16 hits, 16 runs, 16 RBI, and four home runs.
 
DEVAULT'S CONSISTENCY
Fresh off back-to-back Horizon League Pitcher of the Week honors, senior Madison DeVault delivered another standout performance. She pitched her seventh complete game of the season, allowing just one earned run and striking out five batters. DeVault posted a 1.00 ERA against the Panthers, allowing only three hits.
 
QUOTABLE – HEAD COACH JEXX VARNER
On DeVault: "Maddie was dominant today and continues to show and lead her teammates on a mission. She gave up just three hits, but only one truly hard-hit ball."
 
On the offense: "The offense again showed out and hit the ball hard all day. We had a lot of loud outs and came up big in clutch moments to tack on runs. Sequoia had a great day. She's been swinging really well but just not getting the big results. Today changed that and it showed our depth as a lineup. A two-home run day from our seven-hole hitter just proves there is nowhere to get 'easy outs' on us. There is a lot of belief in this roster and today just continued to add to that trust and confidence."
 
UP NEXT
RMU returns to conference play later this week, hosting Northern Kentucky for a three-game series scheduled for April 4-5.
 
Follow The Colonials: Facebook | X | Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | RMU Athletics Gameday App