CLEVELAND, Ohio – The RMU softball team's offense exploded for 10 runs in the first four innings today, securing a decisive 10-2 mercy-rule victory over Purdue Fort Wayne. The Colonials now hold a 29-16 overall record and have earned their spot in the #HLSB Championship game tomorrow.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Despite Purdue Fort Wayne scoring a run in the top of the first, RMU's offense responded immediately and emphatically.
 
In the bottom of the first, Kaylyn Hopf singled, followed by a walk from Courtney Poulich and an error allowing Mary Brant to reach base, loading the bases. Alaina Koutsogiani came through with a clutch single up the middle, driving in two runs.
 
Jess Matheny kept the rally going with a hard-hit single to right-center, scoring Brant. After Matheny stole second, Sequoia Dunlap hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field, bringing home Koutsogiani. Matheny then scored on a throwing error, giving the Colonials a commanding 5-1 lead.
 
Purdue Fort Wayne managed to get a run back in the top of the third on an RBI triple from Grace Hollopeter, but it would be their final run of the game.
 
RMU added to their lead in the bottom of the third. Katlyn Jardine smashed a double to the warning track, scoring both Brant and Matheny. Logan Black followed with an RBI single to right field, bringing home Jardine and extending the Colonials' lead to 8-2.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, Anna Resnik led off with a single. Courtney Poulich then stepped to the plate and delivered her 14th home run of the season, a shot over the center field wall, making it a 10-2 game.
 
Purdue Fort Wayne managed to get two runners on base in the top of the fifth, but they were unable to score against the strong pitching of Madison DeVault and the solid Colonials defense, sealing the 10-2 mercy-rule victory for RMU in five innings. 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• RMU outhit Purdue Fort Wayne 10-4 and left only three runners on base compared to the Mastodons' five.
• Both teams committed two errors.
• The offense was powered by Courtney Poulich, Alaina Koutsogiani, and Katlyn Jardine, who each recorded two RBI. Mary Brant and Logan Black also contributed with two hits apiece.

 
DEVAULT DELIVERS AGAIN
Senior pitcher Madison DeVault was once again outstanding in the circle for the Colonials, earning her 13th win of the season. Over five innings, she recorded three strikeouts and allowed just one earned run.
 
POULICH'S PLAYOFF POWER SURGE
Courtney Poulich continues her impressive playoff performance, hitting her fourth home run in her last six playoff games. She has also driven in nine runs during these postseason contests.
 
RESNIK REACHES MILESTONE
With a hit in today's game, senior Anna Resnik reached a significant career milestone, recording her 150th career hit. The Elizabeth, Pa. native has amassed 110 runs, 74 RBI, 27 doubles, and five home runs in her 191 career games.
 
CLIMBING THE RECORD BOOKS

• Anna Resnik now has 43 runs scored this season, just one shy of tying Gwen Leidy's single-season record of 44, set in 1997.
• Courtney Poulich's two RBI today tie her for the most RBI in a single season in program history with 51, matching Kali Byers' record set in 2005.
• The Colonials' offense has now scored 281 runs this season, the second-most in program history, closing in on the record of 293 set by the 1997 squad.

 
MERCY RULE MASTERS
RMU becomes the first team since 2017 to win a #HLSB tournament game via the mercy rule. An impressive 13 of the Colonials' 29 wins this season have been by run-rule, leading all teams in the Horizon League.
 
QUOTABLE – HEAD COACH JEXX VARNER
"I'm incredibly proud of this team," said Head Coach Jexx Varner. "Yesterday was a hard-fought battle, and they found a way to win. Today, to respond immediately after giving up the first run and score five in the bottom of the first was huge. This team is on a mission. They are united from top to bottom and are focused on achieving their goal."
 
"I reminded our senior group that they started their freshman year in the championship game," Varner added. "They have some unfinished business. Their dedication and work ethic have brought us back to this stage."
 
UP NEXT
RMU will face No. 4 seeded Purdue Fort Wayne again tomorrow, Saturday, May 10, at 12:00 PM at Viking Field in Cleveland, Ohio. In the double-elimination tournament, the Colonials need just one more win to be crowned champions, while the Mastodons will need to win twice.
 
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