Softball Takes Runner-Up at Horizon League Championship

Saturday, May 10

Cleveland, Ohio

Noon

Purdue Fort Wayne

21-26

Robert Morris

30-16

Purdue Fort Wayne

ROBERT MORRIS

Photo by: Scott Galvin

Softball Takes Runner-Up at Horizon League Championship

5/10/2025 4:20:00 PM | Softball

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CLEVELAND - The Purdue Fort Wayne softball team finished as the runner-up at the Horizon League Championship, falling to Robert Morris 4-2 in eight innings in the championship game on Saturday (May 10).

Three Mastodons earned places on the All-Tournament Team for their performances throughout the week: Grace Hollopeter, Bailey Manos and Alanah Jones.

Hollopeter had arguably the hottest bat in the country this week. She finished the tournament with 12 hits, tying the Horizon League Championship record, on 14 at bats. Her 12 hits were a variety, as she had three doubles, one triple and two home runs with nine RBIs, while drawing five walks, also tying a championship record. The junior had a batting average of .857, slugged 1.643 and had an on-base percentage of .895.

Manos racked up nine hits on 16 at bats and crossed home plate four times. She added an RBI and a walk to her week, finishing with a .563 batting average, .625 slugging percentage and .611 on-base percentage.

Jones was the workhorse of the Mastodon pitching staff in the tournament, starting all five games. She threw 31.1 innings for the Mastodons, all but 1.0 of the 'Dons' innings. Jones struck out 18 batters, walked just five, and picked up all three of the Mastodons' postseason wins. She finished the week with a 2.68 ERA in her four complete games.

In what was a pitchers' duel until the seventh inning, Saturday's championship contest was as exciting as they come down the stretch.

RMU took a 1-0 lead in the first inning and nursed that lead until the seventh. Freshman Morgan Cantrell pinch hit and drew a walk, then Gwen McMenemy replaced her on the base paths with a fielder's choice. Manos had her ninth hit of the week, then they advanced to second and third when Countryman got out on another fielder's choice.

With two outs, the best offensive player in the tournament stepped up and sent her 12th hit of the tournament into right center, bringing home McMenemy and Manos. Hollopeter got out at second trying to go for the double, but it was enough for a 2-1 lead for the 'Dons.

However, RMU did not let the Mastodons force an if-necessary game. Sequoia Dunlap sent a long ball over the left field wall to tie it at 2-2 in the first at bat of the bottom of the seventh. The 'Dons retired RMU in order from there, but were unable to score another go-ahead run in the eighth. With championship MVP Courtney Poulich on first, Mary Brant sent a bomb over the center field wall to walk it off, winning 4-2.

Hollopeter finished 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two walks. McKenna Minton and Manos had the other two hits for the 'Dons.

Jones suffered the loss for the 'Dons, falling to 16-17 to wrap up her junior campaign. Madison DeVault earned the win to go to 14-7.

Robert Morris moved to 30-16 and will play in the NCAA Regional. Purdue Fort Wayne wrapped up the season at 21-26, the best season for the 'Dons since 2014.