Shocks @ Missouri State (3 Game Series)

[1972Shocker]

The Shocks (18-18, 3-3) travel to Springfield this weekend to take on league leading Missouri State (24-13, 6-0) who at this point appear to be the class of the Valley. Games are at 6:30 Friday, 2:00 Saturday and 1:00 Sunday. The Friday and Satruday games are on ESPN3 but Sunday's game is not.

Missouri State is has a team BA of .279 and an OPS of .840 with 47 home runs in 37 games while averaging 6.59 runs per game.

The Bears pitching has a team ERA of 3.63 and an opponents BA of .231 while allowing 4.00 run per game.

The Shocks are hitting better lately and have raised their team BA from .234 to .261 after the KU game last night. Their OPS is .725 with 19 home runs in 36 games while averaging 5.33 runs per game.

The Shocks pitching dropped their ERA below 4 a little while back but now it has climed back to 4.32 even with the shut out of KU last night. The Shocks opponents are hitting .253 while averaging 5.03 runs per game. Their 15 hits against KU help the BA and the OBA but not the Slugging % as the Shocks had 14 singles and 1 double.

Looks like a sweep is definitely a possibility this weekend although probably not for the Shocks.

If the Shocks are going to show they have the capability of doing good things yet this year then this would be the weekend to start making that happen.

[jdmee]

Predict the Shocks go 1-2 vs the Run Rule and 0-3 straight up this weekend.

[1972Shocker]

Schedule Change

Due to the weather forecast the shedule for the Missouri State series as been changed.

They are now scheduled to play a single game on Saturday at 2:00 PM and a Doubleheader begininning at 1:00 pm on Sunday.

http://www.goshockers.com/news/2017/4/20/baseball-series-at-msu-altered-due-to-weather.aspx

[shockfan89_]

MSU has a non-conference SOS of 18. The highest RPI team they have played thus far is 175. They are 12-8 against the Top 100, and 12-5 against RPI 101-200.

The new schedule is probably good news for the Shockers. It seems like it's always more difficult to beat a team twice in one day.

We really need to take one from MSU this weekend or MSU is in a great position to breeze through the MVC undefeated. After this weekend, MSU has the remaining MVC games (including current record and RPI):

4/28 - 4/30 @ Evansville (12-23) RPI 253
5/5 - 5/7 @ SIU (18-20) RPI 211
5/12 - 5/14 - ISU Blue (18-16) RPI 184
5/18 - 5/20 @ ISU Red (9-25) RPI 274

MSU only has two mid-week games remaining with their last mid-week game 5/2 @ KU.

[shockfan89_]

We also need to win at least one game this weekend or we will be 3-6 in the conference which will likely be good for 7th place. There isn't a chance we will finish that low, but I don't want to have to look at those standings even for a week! Especially with the MVC currently ranked in 14th place.

[Cdizzle]

If we finish 7th in the 14th-ranked conference, is that enough? Asking for a friend.

[DUShock]

If we finish 7th in the 14th-ranked conference, is that enough? Asking for a friend.

[Cdizzle]

This team just gives up so many free bases.

[Play Angry]

Bohm ties it at 3-3 with a leadoff opposite field blast to start the 6th. Schwanke then reaches striking out on a wild pitch.

Croft pops out on a sacrifice attempt. Jackson whiffs. Knutson out and Fromson on in relief for the Bears.

[Play Angry]

Vickers greets Fromson with a single and Katzfey, PHing for Dugas, walks to load them up for Boyer.

Schwanke scores on a PB to give the Shockers a 4-3 lead. Boyer Ks on a circus play that ends with Katzfey getting tagged out at 3rd.

Big opportunity for the Shocker bullpen. Come on guys.

[SB Shock]

This is what pisses me off about this team - Vickers seems like he's a sleep at 3rd and doesn't go when the throw gets by the 1st basemen, and then doesn't run hard home with Katzfey in a run down, that might be the difference between a run.

[Play Angry]

Sanburn gives up a 2 out, 2 run blast to give the Bears a 5-4 lead. Sigh.

[Play Angry]

Bohm ties it with another jack! 5-5, really pouring now in the 7th.

[Play Angry]

Heuer on for the Shocks for the 7th.

[Play Angry]

Leadoff HBP. smh