DETROIT – The RMU softball team's offense erupted for 27 runs, powered by Aglaia Rudd's four home runs on the day, as the Colonials swept Detroit Mercy. RMU closes the regular season at 27-16 overall and 11-7 in Horizon League play, securing the No. 3 seed in the Horizon League Championship, which begins May 6.
 
GAME 1: RMU 9, Detroit Mercy 1
After a scoreless first inning, the Colonials broke through in the second. Alivia Hare led off with a walk, stole second, and advanced to third on a groundout. With two outs, Marta Gualazzi delivered an RBI single down the third base line to give RMU a 1-0 lead.
 
In the third, Eloise Facher and Courtney Poulich each worked walks, setting the stage for Aglaia Rudd's first home run of the day—a three-run shot to left center that extended the lead to 4-0.
 
RMU added to its advantage in the fifth. Facher singled and Poulich reached on an error before Mary Brant launched a three-run homer to right center, pushing the lead to 7-0.
 
In the seventh, Poulich drew her second walk of the game and Rudd followed with a single. Hare brought both runners home with a two-run single to make it 9-0.
 
Detroit Mercy scored once in the bottom of the inning, but RMU secured the 9-1 victory.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• RMU outhit Detroit Mercy, 9-5, but committed four errors compared to one by the Titans.
• Rudd and Facher each recorded two hits, while Rudd and Brant led with three RBIs apiece.
• The Colonials drew five walks, with Poulich accounting for two.
• Rudd and Hare each stole a base.
• In the circle, senior Madelyn Coleman delivered one of her best outings of the season, tossing a complete game with five strikeouts and no earned runs to earn her eighth win.

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GAME 2: RMU 18, Detroit Mercy 3
Detroit Mercy struck first with two runs in the opening inning, but RMU responded in dominant fashion.
 
After three scoreless innings, the Colonials erupted for six runs in the fourth. Rudd sparked the rally with a two-run homer—her second of the day—after Poulich reached via walk.
 
Brant later walked, and Sequoia Dunlap reached on a fielder's choice. A throwing error moved Brant to third, and she scored on a wild pitch. Erynn Thompson followed with a walk before Gualazzi doubled to left, scoring Dunlap. The inning concluded with a two-RBI double by Facher, giving RMU a 6-2 lead.
 
In the fifth, Hare singled and Thompson walked, and both advanced on a wild pitch. Gualazzi reached on an error, allowing both runners to score and extend the lead to 8-2.
 
Detroit Mercy added one run in the bottom half, but it would be their last.
 
Rudd continued her dominant day in the sixth, blasting her second home run of the game and third of the day—a two-run shot to make it 10-3.
 
RMU put the game away with an eight-run seventh inning. Gualazzi singled and Kaylyn Hopf doubled to start the rally. Facher then crushed her 10th home run of the season to right center.
 
Poulich reached on an error, bringing Rudd to the plate, where she launched her third homer of the game, extending the lead to 15-3. Brant followed with a triple, and Delaney O'Connor drew a walk. With two outs, Gualazzi capped the scoring with a three-run homer to left center.
 
Kaitlyn Molitoris closed the game in dominant fashion, striking out all three batters in the seventh to complete the sweep.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• RMU outhit Detroit Mercy, 14-11, while committing just one error compared to five by the Titans.
• Rudd and Gualazzi each had three hits and scored three runs; Poulich also crossed the plate three times.
• Rudd led all players with six RBIs, while Facher drove in five and Gualazzi added four.
• RMU drew six walks, including two by Thompson.
• Dunlap added a stolen base and two defensive assists.
• In the circle, Madison Brown earned her seventh win, allowing three earned runs over five innings with three strikeouts. Molitoris struck out five of six batters in two scoreless innings of relief.

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RUDD'S BIG SERIES
Rudd became just the second player in program history to hit three home runs in a single game, joining Poulich, who accomplished the feat last season against Bucknell.
 
In the series, Rudd hit six home runs with 13 RBIs and eight runs scored, going 7-for-13 (.538). On the season, the junior catcher now boasts 21 home runs, 60 RBIs, 15 doubles, and 54 runs scored, along with a .551 batting average and 1.125 slugging percentage.
 
GREAT DAY FOR GUALAZZI
Sophomore Marta Gualazzi recorded a career-high four RBIs in the finale, adding a home run and scoring three times. This season, she has totaled three home runs, 14 RBIs, and 12 runs while hitting .327.
 
FIVE FOR FACHER
Facher tied her career high with five RBIs in the series finale and has now driven in five runs three times over her last six games. On the season, she owns 10 home runs, 55 RBIs, 15 doubles, and 54 runs scored while hitting .438 with an .810 slugging percentage.
 
QUOTABLE – HEAD COACH JEXX VARNER
On the 2026 regular season: "What an incredible regular season! We have battled through a lot of injuries and adversity. The journey has been bumpy at times, but we've won nine of our last 12 and finish with the same record as we had at this point last year."
 
On the offense: "The offense is historic and one of the best in the country, period. We know we are in every game and believe that up and down the lineup, everyone can—and already has—come up clutch. We are continuing to figure things out defensively and are confident we have what it takes to bring home another championship."
 
On the conference tournament: "I'm so proud of the fight and resilience of this group. I can't wait to bring #BoomTownship to Youngstown next week."
 
UP NEXT
RMU enters the Horizon League Championship as the No. 3 seed and will face No. 6 Detroit Mercy in a rematch on Wednesday, May 6 at 2:30 PM in Youngstown, Ohio. The winner advances to face No. 2 Northern Kentucky on Thursday, May 7 at 2:30 PM.
 
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