Shox vs. Bradley Game 1

[shox1989]

The Shox finish the home schedule with Bradley (rpi #105). The toughest game left of the 7 games on the schedule may be Friday night. Bradley Ace Joe Bircher is expected to start on Friday. The senior is 7-1 with a 2.00 era. His Strike Out to Walk ratio is 99 to 17. The Shox did manage to beat Bircher last year.

If the Shox can get by Bircher it will get the last 7 games off to a great start.

[shox1989]

I just found out it is also 50 cent hot dog night Friday night. Time to take the Mrs. out to eat:welcoming:

[WSUwatcher]

Well, 1989, Josh Smith has shown that he's capable of holding a team to 0 or 1 in his own right, so if he's on his game there's nothing wrong with WSU's chances even Friday.

They will have to respond a little better than they did in the opener against Indiana State, though. Hopefully they were just anesthetized by the long trip to Terre Haute and will be more awake and alert by game time tomorrow.

[1972Shocker]

Best wishes to our 5 seniors who play their final home stand as Shockers this weekend. Kevin Hall, Josh Smith, Don Lambert, Drew Rainey and Mitch Mormann.

Josh Smith in particular will be touch to replace on the field. Kevin Hall will be tough to replace as a great team guy and boy I loved to watch Kevin roam CF for the Shocks.

Great article on Kevin in today's Eagle:

http://www.kansas.com/2012/05/10/2330727/wichita-state-senior-kevin-hall.html

[pogo]

Think I will take the son and his kids to the game on sunday so they can see the "Candy Man". Anyway thats what the oldest grand son calls him since he always brings a big bag of candy to the game. Hope to see you there "Candy Man".

[Ta town]

well shox down 1-0, I'm going to go ahead and say game over.

[Ta town]

wow!!!!

I was wrong

shox lead 2-1 bottom 5th

bases loaded, no outs, Baker at the plate

[Ta town]

shox lead 4-1 top of 7th

[SB Shock]

This is the big one. If they get this one they should sweep Bradley.

[Ta town]

5-1 top of 8th.

[Ta town]

Shox win 7-1

Josh Smith goes 8 innings and gives up 1 run. Vielock finishes it off with 1 inning of relief.

Gillespie goes 5-5, is now hitting .290 on the season. Coy drops his 7th bomb of the season.

[tru2thaduce]

Casey going 5-5 was a highlight of this season for me.Smith was nails tonight and didn't blink after the solo bomb.Looking forward to tomorrow to see Gardner pitch.I have really enjoyed the way Kris has shown that location and changing speeds can win ball games this season.

[shox1989]

Nice Win! 7-1 is far better than I could have imagined against Joe Bircher. Casey really had a great night going 5 for 5.

[1972Shocker]

Who would of that one of the key plays (maybe the catalyst) for the Shocks 4-run rally in the 6th would be an infield hit by gimpy Johnny Coy, followed by Johnny going from 1st to 3rd on Casey's double.

Apparently, it didn't hurt Johnny any as he hit a 2-run homer in the 8th which I think Mike said was Johnny's 1st round-tripper in 17 games.

Hopefully, the Shocks will not waste this win and keep intensity and focus going through the rest of the season.

Good win tonight against a very solid, crafty Senior pitcher.

Glad to see the Shocks give Josh some run support although it took awhile to break through. 16 hits should win you a lot of games.

[shox1989]

The Shox ended up getting 11 hits and 5 earned runs against Bircher in 6 innings. The Shox only struck out 3 times against Bircher.

The Shox 5 earned runs in 6 innings caused Joe Bircher's era to go from 2.0 to 2.45. (His total earned runs given up went from 21 to 26 for the season).