MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – With postseason positioning and potential hosting rights hanging in the balance, the RMU softball team heads to Cleveland for its final Horizon League series of the regular season, taking on first-place Cleveland State in a pivotal three-game matchup.
 
The series opens Saturday, April 26 at 2:00 PM, with a doubleheader set for Sunday, April 27 beginning at 1:00 PM. All three games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
 
SETTING THE STAGE
RMU (24-14, 14-6 #HLSB) rolls into the final league series sitting just two games back of Cleveland State (20-15, 15-3 #HLSB) in the standings. With both teams already having clinched spots in the 2025 Horizon League Championship, the stakes are clear: the regular-season title — and the right to host the tournament — is still up for grabs.
 
The Colonials will look to carry the momentum from a dominant sweep over Mercyhurst earlier this week, where they outscored the Lakers 19-3 in a midweek non-conference doubleheader. RMU's offense exploded behind big performances from Anna Resnik (5 RBI) and Jess Matheny (4 RBI), while sophomore Kaitlyn Molitoris tossed a one-hit shutout and freshman Sammie Borrayo picked up her first collegiate win.
 
ON FIRE ON THE BASEPATHS
The Colonials also made history in the series, stealing a program-record nine bases in game two. The aggressive effort was led by Alaina Koutsogiani, Kaylyn Hopf, and Jess Matheny, each with two steals, while Mary Brant, Courtney Poulich, and Lilly Stump added one apiece. RMU now has 63 steals on the year — and counting.
 
Koutsogiani continues to lead the Horizon League with 20 steals, while Hopf ranks fifth with 10. Both have been critical to RMU's ability to pressure defenses and flip momentum with speed.
 
OFFENSIVE LEADERSHIP
The Colonials' offense has emerged as one of the most dangerous in the league:

• Kaylyn Hopf, the team's sparkplug at the top of the lineup, leads RMU in batting average (.374) and hits (46), and ranks top-10 in the league in both categories.
• Anna Resnik has crossed the plate more than any other Colonial, with 37 runs scored, and leads the Horizon League in sacrifice flies (4).
• Courtney Poulich is putting together a monster campaign, pacing the team in RBI (44), home runs (10), and doubles (11). Her slugging percentage (.744) ranks second in the league.
• Katlyn Jardine, the team's most patient hitter, owns a staggering .474 on-base percentage, giving RMU key production from the heart of its lineup.

 
As a team, RMU sits atop the Horizon League in multiple offensive categories:

• Batting average (.310)
• Runs scored (242)
• Home runs (38)
• RBI (216)
• Slugging percentage (.516)
• On-base percentage (.381)

 
CIRCLE SUCCESS
On the mound, RMU boasts a strong one-two punch in senior Madison DeVault and sophomore Kaitlyn Molitoris, who have combined for 18 of the team's 24 wins:

• DeVault leads the team in ERA (2.80), strikeouts (91), and opponent batting average (.213). She's tied for third in the league in wins and ranks second in ERA.
• Molitoris isn't far behind with a 3.75 ERA, tied for third in the league in wins (9), and second in opponent batting average (.227).

 
As a staff, RMU is:

• 1^st in opponent batting average (.264)
• 2^nd in the Horizon League in ERA (4.24)
• 2^nd in strikeouts (200)

 
CHASING HISTORY
With 38 home runs on the season, the Colonials are just two shy of tying and three away from breaking the program's single-season record of 40, set back in 2008. With multiple power threats in the lineup and seven games remaining in the regular season, history is within reach.
 
CLEVELAND STATE AT A GLANCE
The Vikings enter the weekend as the league's top team at 15-3 and have been remarkably consistent, winning all six of their Horizon League series and 10 of their last 12 games overall.
 
Senior outfielder Brooke Albaugh has been the table-setter, leading the team in batting average (.383), hits (41), on-base percentage (.472), and runs (28). On the power side, junior Emma Gilkerson has driven in a team-best 27 RBI and leads CSU with nine homers and seven doubles.
 
In the circle, the Vikings are anchored by senior Melissa Holzopfel, who has compiled an impressive 14 wins with a 2.76 ERA and a league-leading 157 strikeouts.
 
RMU vs. CSU: THE SERIES HISTORY
The two programs have a long-standing rivalry dating back to 1991, with Cleveland State holding a narrow edge in the all-time series, 31-27. However, the tide has shifted in recent years, as RMU rattled off seven straight wins against the Vikings from 2022 to 2024, their longest win streak in the matchup.
 
Last year, both Courtney Poulich and Madison DeVault delivered standout performances. Poulich launched a home run and tallied five RBI, while DeVault recorded both a win and a save in the circle against Cleveland State.
 
UP NEXT
After this weekend, the Colonials will take advantage of a bye in the final week of league play and shift their focus to non-conference action. They'll head to Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers on Tuesday, April 29 at 6:00 PM.
 
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