CLEVELAND, Ohio – The RMU softball team capped off its Horizon League regular season in dominant fashion Sunday, sweeping Cleveland State with victories of 4-1 and 11-3 to clinch a first-round bye in the 2025 #HLSB Championship.
With the two victories, the Colonials improve to 26-15 overall and 16-7 in league play, locking in at least a top-two finish in the conference standings.
GAME 1: RMU 4, Cleveland State 1
RMU came out swinging in the first inning, loading the bases quickly after singles by
Kaylyn Hopf and
Courtney Poulich and a walk by
Anna Resnik. Senior
Alaina Koutsogiani opened the scoring with an RBI single to right field, and consecutive bases-loaded walks to
Jess Matheny and
Katlyn Jardine pushed the lead to 3-0.
Cleveland State answered with a run in the bottom of the first, but senior pitcher
Madison DeVault shut down the Vikings the rest of the way, tossing a complete game with seven strikeouts and allowing just two hits.
Matheny added insurance with a solo home run to left field in the fifth — her sixth of the season — and RMU never looked back.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 1)
- RMU outhit CSU 12-2 and drew four walks to the Vikings' one.
- Hopf led the way offensively with a team-high three hits.
- Matheny delivered another multi-RBI performance, and Resnik reached base twice via walks.
- DeVault earned her 10th win of the season, reaching double digits for the first time in her career. She now boasts 104 strikeouts across 111.2 innings this season.
GAME 2: RMU 11, Cleveland State 3 (6 Innings)
The Colonials wasted no time in Game 2, jumping ahead 2-0 in the first inning behind an RBI single from Koutsogiani and a CSU throwing error that allowed Poulich to score.
RMU poured it on in the third inning with six singles, leading to three more runs driven in by Matheny,
Sequoia Dunlap, and
Logan Black.
Leading 5-0, the Colonials continued to tack on runs. Hopf ripped a two-RBI single in the fourth, and RMU exploded for a four-run sixth inning, highlighted by a triple from Hopf, a double from Resnik, and another triple by Poulich to seize an 11-2 lead.
Cleveland State managed one run in the bottom of the sixth, but RMU closed the door, earning the run-rule victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (Game 2)
- RMU recorded a season-high 17 hits, with seven players posting multi-hit games.
- Hopf again led the team with three hits and three RBI, while Black also finished with three hits.
- Brant and Dunlap each scored twice to pace the offense.
- Madelyn Coleman started and earned her fifth win of the year, throwing five innings with three strikeouts and just two earned runs allowed.
- Kaitlyn Molitoris closed the game with a clean sixth inning, including one strikeout.
SEASON-HIGH PERFORMANCE AND TEAM RECORDS
Sunday's 17-hit outburst in game two marked RMU's 14th game this season with 10+ hits, all of which have resulted in victories. Ten of those wins have seen RMU score double-digit runs.
In addition, the Colonials shattered three major single-season program records:
- Doubles: 72 (previous record: 70, set in 1997)
- RBI: 234 (previous record: 227, set in 1997)
- Stolen Bases: 69 (previous record: 68, set in 1991)
QUOTABLE – HEAD COACH JEXX VARNER
On the team's response:
"Another great response after a tough loss yesterday. We got two excellent outings from Madison and Madelyn. They were dealing today, and Molitoris came in and shut the door for the run-rule victory. It was a perfect way to end conference play, rest up, and get ready for the Horizon League tournament."
On the series victory:
"Our offense made another huge statement today. 29 hits over two games against the next-best pitching staff in the conference. We did a great job with our approaches against three different pitchers and excelled. Yet another perfect way to end conference play!"
On the offense's historic season:
"This offense is absolutely phenomenal and will go down as one of the best in program history. To break multiple records that have stood for decades in just 41 games is a credit to the hard work these ladies have put in for years. We're extremely proud of them — and of all our alums and coaches who helped guide this group. And, we aren't done yet!"
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
RMU has officially secured a first-round bye in the #HLSB Championship, finishing as at least the No. 2 seed.
The Colonials still have an outside chance at claiming the regular-season title, depending on the outcome of Oakland's upcoming series against Cleveland State. If CSU wins at least one game, they will secure the No. 1 seed.
UP NEXT
RMU will next head back on the road against Pitt on Tuesday, April 29. First pitch is set for 6:00 PM at Vartabedian Field.
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