Yegge Scores First Win as Softball Head Coach
Griffon softball is officially underway and in a new era under head coach Joe Yegge. The Griffons opened their season, participating in Minnesota State DIII Softball Classic, going 2–3.
The Griffons dropped a doubleheader on Friday in their first action of the 2022 season. In-game one, the University of Minnesota Duluth defeated the Griffons with a score of 4–1. The Griffons got onto the scoreboard first thanks to an Emma Hoffart single in the bottom of the third. This lead didn’t last long as Minnesota Duluth scored at the top of the fourth inning, leveling the game 1–1. The Griffons then gave up three runs in the top of the ninth, losing 4–1.
In-game two on Friday, the Griffons faced Concordia University, St.Paul and managed to score first. In the top of the first inning Hawkins, lead off with a walk and eventually found herself to score after a hit to left field from Rian Gere. After tying it up in the top of the fourth 3–3, Concordia homered, putting them ahead 4–3, never relinquishing that lead.
On Saturday, the Griffons found a bit more success. The Griffons were down 5–3 coming into the top of the fifth but made it 5–4 before loading the bases. Si Culver came in to pinch-hit and delivered. Culver put her team on top with a bases-clearing double, putting Missouri Western ahead 7–5. The Griffons then extended the lead to 8–5 never giving this lead-up and securing the first victory of the season.
When asked about what led to Culver pinch-hitting, Coach Yegge kept it simple.
“It was just a gut feeling I had at that moment. In that situation, it was just the feeling to go with her at that time,” Yegge said.
The Griffons then split a doubleheader on Sunday. The Griffons scored first with a single, taking the lead 1–0 against Concordia. This lead disappeared as Concordia hit a two-run homer. The Griffons once again scored with a single, tying the game up 2–2. Concordia scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning, pushing them ahead 4–2, and The Griffons couldn’t answer.
Onto the second game on Sunday, the Griffons scored first with a single up the midfield. The Griffons also scored in the bottom of the third and fourth innings pushing them ahead 4–0.
The Griffon’s had their first homer of the year, a 2 run shot in the fifth inning. Two additional runs were scored in the fifth inning, calling the mercy rule into effect. The Griffons defeated Lewis University 8–0.
Coach Yegge was also proud of how his team played this weekend and was looking forward to the rest of the season.
“It was good; it was still a weekend of tough tough beats, but we’re moving on. We know what we got to work on. just changing the mentality of the team a little bit to fit our style, but we’re getting there.” Yegge said
The Griffons are now off to Bentonville, Arkansas, to participate in the ALVY Early Memorial Classic this upcoming weekend.
