KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - After 10 wins in its first 11 games for the best start since 2001, the Truman State University softball team will finally get to play on its home field. Not only will the Bulldogs be making their 2019 home debut, but it will also mark the beginning of Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) play with the first two of 13 league doubleheaders over the course of the regular season. William Jewell will be in town on Sunday followed by former Truman assistant coach, Bailey Wittenauer, and Rockhurst on Monday.

Starting with William Jewell (5-5), Truman has dominated the all-time series to the tune of 16-3, including an unblemished 8-0 record at home. Just like Bulldogs' head coach, Erin Brown, Dustin Combs is in his 13th season at the helm of the Cardinals with an overall record of 342-281 (.549 winning percentage). That record includes a GLVC mark of 170-148 (.535) as William Jewell didn't join the GLVC until 2012, two years before Truman.

This season, the Cardinals haven't played in over two weeks due to weather-related cancellations and postponements. Statistically as a team, William Jewell is 10th in the GLVC in batting average at .295 and third-to-last in ERA at 4.20. The Cardinals are one of seven conference teams with an average less than .300 and one of three with an ERA of 4.00 or greater. With that being said, William Jewell has held its own defensively as it and Truman are tied for the fewest errors in the GLVC with 10.

Individually, the Cardinals' offense has been led by senior catcher, Courtney Beatty, who hits in the esteemed third spot in the lineup. So far, Beatty is hitting .452 (14-for-31) with an OPS of 1.044, seven runs scored, two doubles, five RBI, a .516 slugging percentage, .528 on-base percentage, and only three strikeouts. As for a pitching staff that has underperformed so far, fellow senior, Madelynne Greenstreet, has been a bright spot with a 2.63 ERA in 24 innings pitched, 31 strikeouts and 14 walks.

Switching gears to Monday's opponent, Rockhurst (11-8), the Hawks are coached by Wittenauer in her second season in Kansas City. Truman has won eight of the 12 matchups between the two teams. Wittenauer, Brown's assistant from 2016-17, led the Hawks to a 20-29 record in her first season, including a 14-14 mark within the league. This spring, Rockhurst has won two in a row after dropping four of five games prior to that.

Individually, the Hawks are led by a dynamic senior in leadoff hitter and right fielder, Emily Truitt. Truitt is hitting a blistering .446 (29-for-65) with 20 runs, one double, already seven triples, two bombs, and 21 RBI. The 5-6 speedster is also slugging .769 with an on-base percentage of .493. In the circle, Rockhurst is paced by sophomore righty, Paige Renner, and her 1.91 ERA in 18 and a third frames of work. GLVC wise, the Hawks are tied for third in batting average (.344) and eighth in ERA (3.72).

#BewareOfDog