Links to live results/video will be posted on the team's schedule page, if available, for the weekend (Schedule Page). 

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - Potential weather has forced changes to the debut of the Truman State Softball team this weekend. The Bulldogs are scheduled to open the season at the Alvy Early Memorial Tournament in Bentonville, Arkansas. Truman State is now scheduled to open the season on Saturday with games on Friday moved to Sunday due to weather forecasts. The Bulldogs will now play four games beginning on Saturday against Southern Arkansas and Southeastern Oklahoma State.

Southern Arkansas is the four-time defending Great American Conference champions. The Muleriders went 37-18 last season, played in the NCAA regional and are receiving votes in the NFCA preseason poll. They went 5-0 in the Mardi Gras Invite last weekend, including a 2-1 win over GLVC opponent Drury University. Game two on the day will be against Southeastern Oklahoma State, who was picked sixth in the GAC and went 30-25 last year. The Savage Storm also participated in the Mardi Gras Invite and went 3-2 last weekend.

On Sunday, both Northeastern State and Arkansas-Monticello were both picked seventh in their respective leagues. Truman last played the RiverHawks in 2016 and won 2-1 in Bentonville and are 4-4 all-time against NSU. It will be the first meeting with UAM on the diamond. Northeastern State is 1-3 on the season and UAM is 2-1.

First year Truman State coach Ron Ferrill inherits a team that struggled last year to an 8-35 record.

Cameryn Patterson is the top returning hitter after batting .345 last season in 43 games played. Maria McGonegle led the team in home runs with five and RBI with 31. 

In the circle, Brianna Klein, Annabel Zimmer, Mya McCubbin and McKenzie West all bring experience back from last season. 

Bulldog Tidbits:

-Cameryn Patterson is second on the career list in being hit by a pitch. She has been hit 26 times since 2020 and is 12 back of the career mark held by Ally McReynolds (2012-15). Her 15 HBPs last season were a single-season record.

-Patterson's .497 on-base percentage last season was the ninth best in program history.

-Maria McGonegle tied a school record last season with eight RBI in a single game against William Jewell and matched the single-game home run mark of three, set in the same game with the Cardinals. 

-The Bulldogs hit a school-record six grand slams last season and each were by a different player. Two came in one game against Missouri S&T.

Up Next:

The early season tournament parade moves north and indoors at the Rosemont Dome Tournament in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulldogs will see schools from within their region as five of the six games scheduled.  Games begin on Thursday at 9 a.m. against UW-Parkside.