PITTSBURGH – Led by Courtney Poulich's two-home-run performance and Kaitlyn Molitoris's complete game in the circle, the Colonials defeated Pitt 12-3 Tuesday night. RMU is now 8-6 to begin the 2026 season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first inning was scoreless as pitcher Kaitlyn Molitoris struck out two batters, foreshadowing her strong night in the circle.
 
After a scoreless first, the lineup got to work in the second inning, scoring six runs.
 
The rally started with Aglaia Rudd reaching first after being hit by a pitch, followed by Katlyn Jardine drawing a walk. Erynn Thompson then laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up. The first run came home on a sacrifice fly to right field by Camryn Harbold.
 
Kaylyn Hopf then slapped a hit through the left side, scoring another run. Eloise Facher made it 3-0 with an infield single, beating out the throw.
 
Poulich extended RMU's lead with a three-run blast to deep center field, with the ball landing in the soccer stadium to make it a 6-0 game.
 
Pitt scored two runs in the bottom of the third, but RMU responded in the top of the fourth as Rudd produced an RBI single to score Poulich, making it 7-2.
 
After a scoreless fifth inning, Poulich came back to the plate in the sixth and cranked a line drive over the wall for her second home run of the game, a solo shot.
 
In the top of the seventh, Hopf reached on a fielding error, followed by Facher reaching on a fielder's choice. Poulich then ripped a double down the left field line, scoring both runners and advancing to third on the throw.
 
Up next, Rudd singled to bring in Poulich. The rally appeared to end on what looked like a pop-up off Jardine's bat, but an error by the third baseman allowed Rudd to circle all the way around to score, making it a 12-2 game.
 
In the bottom of the final inning, the Panthers were able to score one run, but the deficit was too large as the Colonials secured the 12-3 victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• RMU outhit Pitt 10-5. Mary Brant and Rudd each had two hits, while Poulich led the way with four.
• Poulich also scored four runs, while Hopf, Facher and Rudd each crossed the plate twice.
• Both teams had three walks, with MacKenzie Hoover drawing two.
• Pitt committed three errors in the game while RMU had one.

 
POULICH GOES DEEP TWICE
For the sixth time in her career, Poulich hit two home runs in a game. She also tied her career high with four runs scored, which she has now accomplished for the third time.
 
Against Pitt, she went 4-for-4 at the plate while driving in six runs. It was her fifth career game with five or more RBI and her 26th career multi-RBI game. The Greensburg, Pa., native leads the Colonials in home runs (8), RBI (25) and runs scored (28).
 
MOLITORIS ON THE MOUND
Molitoris pitched her third complete game of the season, also earning her third win of the year. She posted a 2.00 ERA against the Panthers, throwing 111 total pitches – 74 of which were strikes – while striking out 10 batters.
 
This marked the second time this season she has reached double digits in strikeouts. She leads RMU's pitching staff with 37 strikeouts in 31.1 innings of work.
 
QUOTABLE – HEAD COACH JEXX VARNER
"Really proud of our women tonight! This was a great team win – from the energy and communication in the dugout to the defense and Molitoris, to the offense continuing to dominate."
 
"We had some productive meetings with our pitchers yesterday about trusting themselves, the process and what steps we can take to get better. Tonight was the perfect example of that communication. Coach Maddy called a great game and Molitoris executed at an extremely high level. We played good defense behind her tonight and that play by Hoover in left center was a huge moment. To go down another starter can be tough, but that next-woman-up mentality that I spoke of the other day is making a good team great!"
 
"I'm proud of Mackenzie, Mary and Camryn for their amazing examples. And while the usual suspect dominated on offense, Courtney was on another level tonight. Her first home run was legitimately one of the longest balls I've ever seen hit. But it was our baserunning and small-ball execution that set the tone for us today. When we do that with the middle of our order, it's extremely hard to hold us down."
 
UP NEXT
RMU will host its home opener against Mercyhurst with a doubleheader at the North Athletic Complex on Saturday, March 14 at 1:00 PM. The Colonials will then travel to Erie for a doubleheader at Mercyhurst on Sunday, March 15, beginning at 1:00 PM.
 
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