Jordan Love softball game a big hit again with players, fans

When Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was brought on the field at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on May 23, he was asked what he thought of the softball he was seeing played.   

Players on Team Defense celebrate a home run during the Green Bay Charity Softball Game hosted by Jordan Love on May 23 at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

The score was 0-0 through three innings.  

“I think these guys are trying a little too hard,” LaFleur said. “I wish they’d tone it down a little bit, but it’s all good. Not a lot of runs, but a lot of action.” 

Whether LaFleur said that because he was worried his players may get hurt or he felt runs would start to come if the players relaxed, it worked.  

After a scoreless first three innings, Team Offense won the game 6-4.  

Team Defense went up 1-0 in the fourth inning when Evan Williams scored from second on an errant throw.  

The offense took the lead in its half of the fourth on a two-run double by rookie quarterback Taylor Elgersma.  

In the fifth, Cornelius Johnson drove in a run with a single for a 3-1 lead for Team Offense.  

The defense scored three runs in the sixth, highlighted by a two-run home run by Johnathan Baldwin, for a 4-3 lead.  

Not to be outdone, the offense came back with three runs of its own in the sixth inning, scoring two on a home run by Malik Willis and one on a solo shot by Elgersma, for the final 6-4 score. 

John Thur of Oshkosh was glad he came. 

“It’s a fun night, a good cause,” he said. “My dad brought me here like 20 years ago when Brett Favre had it. The fact that I can bring my sons is so nice.” 

It’s fans like that who make Packers quarterback Jordan Love proud to associate the softball game with his Hands of 10ve Foundation. 

“They’re amazing,” Love said. “It shows you how much support they have for us. To come out here and support us at a baseball stadium, the fans are awesome.”  

Love said it’s also fun to see his teammates amazed by the turnout. 

“I see it every year,” Love said. “Somebody who hasn’t seen this comes and sees it and says, ‘Man, this is incredible.’ ” 

Like rookie Nazir Stackhouse from Georgia, who learned the game was passed down to Love. 

“I didn’t know it was a big thing, a huge thing,” Stackhouse said. “When I saw the crowd, it reminded me of playing in Athens, Georgia, going out during pregame and seeing people watch us warm up. 

“I was like, ‘Wow, I was not expecting this many people here.' ”

“To see how many people show up to watch us play softball, you can feel what the energy is like,” Elgersma said. “I’m excited to see these guys (fans) at training camp and on game day.”