The Truman State softball team traveled to the Rosemont Dome Tournament this past weekend, playing six games over three days against GLIAC and NSIC competition. The tournament marked Truman's third event of the 2026 season.
Game 1: vs. Grand Valley State | Feb. 20 | L, 1-13
Truman opened the tournament on Friday against Grand Valley State, one of the premier programs in Division II. The Lakers jumped out to a six-run first inning and never looked back, but the Bulldogs showed some life at the plate. Cassie Smith and Brooke Nutter each went 2-for-3 to lead Truman offensively, and Cali Coombs drove in the team's lone run. Grand Valley State finished with 14 hits on the day, with their offense doing the most damage in the early innings. Jayda Long started in the circle for the Bulldogs, and Truman will look to use this early-season test against a tough opponent as a measuring stick going forward.
Game 2: vs. Minnesota-Duluth | Feb. 20 | L, 5-14
In the second game of the day, Truman put up their most runs of the tournament against Minnesota-Duluth. The Bulldogs actually drew first blood, scoring in the first inning on an error, before UMD took control with a five-run second. Avaree Taylor was productive all day, going 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Emily Wood also contributed two hits. Minnesota-Duluth finished with 15 hits and seven walks, and their base running caused problems throughout, as they stole six bases. Kluever started in the circle and worked three innings for Truman. Despite the final score, the five-run effort showed the Bulldogs are capable of putting together a full offensive game.
Game 3: vs. Concordia-St. Paul | Feb. 21 | L, 3-4
Saturday's opener was the tightest game of the weekend and one Truman had every opportunity to win. The Bulldogs actually out-hit Concordia-St. Paul five to three, but a three-run home run by CSP's Sharum in the third inning proved to be the difference. Truman answered, getting on the board in the third on a Coombs groundout and continuing to chip away, but couldn't push across the tying run late. Coombs finished with two RBI, and Wood collected two more hits to continue her strong weekend. Feiste was excellent in her start, holding CSP scoreless on just one hit over three innings before Long came on in relief. The Bulldogs also drew five walks and turned a double play defensively.Â
Game 4: vs. St. Cloud State | Feb. 21 | L, 1-3
The second game Saturday was a low-scoring pitching duel that came down to a three-run fifth inning by St. Cloud State. Taylor started in the circle and was sharp, recording 14 outs and keeping the Huskies in check for the most part, while all three runs she allowed were unearned. Truman's only run came in the fifth when Kluever grounded out to plate a runner. Kyleia Salyars was efficient at the plate, going 2-for-2 to lead the offense. St. Cloud State's pitcher Porter was equally impressive, going all seven innings and striking out five without issuing a walk.
Game 5: vs. Hillsdale College | Feb. 22 | L, 3-5
Truman had Hillsdale on the ropes heading into the sixth inning on Sunday, holding a 3-2 lead before the Chargers broke through for three runs to take the final, 5-3. The Bulldogs had taken the lead in the third on back-to-back RBI doubles from Taylor and Pilcher, showing some real punch in the middle of the lineup. Taylor finished 2-for-3 to lead Truman at the plate. Long worked four innings in relief and kept Truman in the game, giving up two runs. Taylor started and gave up three runs in two innings before giving way to Long. Hillsdale's Davis went 2-for-3 with two RBI and proved to be the key bat in their lineup.Â
Game 6: vs. Winona State | Feb. 22 | L, 2-10
The Bulldogs closed the tournament against Winona State on Sunday afternoon. Smith got things going from the leadoff spot, collecting two hits in three at-bats, and Riley Redig provided a big moment with a key hit that drove in two runs to account for both of Truman's runs on the day. Kluever was impressive in the circle despite the final score, striking out six batters over three innings — the most strikeouts by a Truman pitcher all weekend. Winona State was thorough offensively, finishing with 16 hits and committing no errors in the field, making it a tough test to end the weekend.
Up Next:
The Bulldogs will have six more games next weekend in the Midwest Classic Tournament held in Shawnee, Kansas. The Bulldogs will face off against all MIAA schools with games against Pittsburg State and Central Missouri on Friday, Newman and Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday, and Missouri Southern and Rogers State on Sunday.
#BulldogNation
