MANKATO, Minn – Griffon Softball showed off strong pitching in today's doubleheader at the Minnesota State DII Classic, but they ultimately lost their first two games of the season.

Game 1
The first contest of the 2022 season saw the University of Minnesota Duluth defeat MWSU 4-1 in nine innings. The Griffons got out in front first in the bottom of the third when Emma Hoffart hacked a single to score Sydni Hawkins, who doubled to lead off the inning. However, the lead didn't last more than 2/3 of an inning.

University of Minnesota Duluth's Jordyn Thomas led off the fourth inning with a triple, eventually scoring off a Sidney Zavoral single. The game then remained 1-1 thanks to prominent pitching by both sides.

Griffon sophomore Sydney Rader pitched more than what she is usually asked of, going 8 1/3 innings while giving up three runs and striking out nine batters. Sam Pederson of Minnesota Duluth went 6 1/3 with six strikeouts and one run given up.

Rader walked two-straight batters in the top of the ninth after retiring the first hitter. Kelly Uthe came in for relief but gave up a single to left-center field by Makenna Burslie. Shortly after, Thomas tacked on two more runs with a single to center, bringing her Bulldogs in front for the eventual 4-1 victory.

Game 2

The latter half Friday's doubleheader looked like deja-vu when the Griffons scored first to take an early lead against Concordia University-St. Paul. Hawkins led the game off with a walk, eventually scoring on a Rian Gere base hit to left field. Taylor Hoelscher was hit by a pitch next, loading the bases for Missouri Western. 

Golden Bears pitcher Erica McCullough made it out of what was left of the first unscathed, striking out back-to-back Griffons to keep her team in it. Concordia-St. Paul pounced right back in the bottom half of the inning with an RBI fielder's choice by Amanda Parsons. The Golden Bears eventually grabbed a single run in the next two innings to go up 3-1, but MWSU wasn't done yet.

With two on and two out in the top of the fourth, Hawkins hit a gapper to left-center field, scoring Hoelscher and Rachel Stewart to tie the game, 3-3. Despite this, Hawkins was caught stealing third base, leaving Kalyn Damgaard at the plate. Damgaard went on to single to lead off the fifth.

Alexus Houston homered to lead off the fifth, and that's all the Golden Bears needed being up 4-3. Hoffart singled with one out in the top of the seventh but was stranded after back-to-back Griffon strikeouts. Natalie Kissinger went 6 1/3 innings for MWSU, giving up only three earned runs with three strikeouts as well. 

Next up on Saturday for MWSU (0-2) is Minnesota State University-Mankato (1-0) at 6 p.m. The Griffons were geared up to play Maryville University at 3:30, but the Saints canceled last-second before the tournament began.