Shocker SB at ECU

[1972Shocker]

I swear... So many of Addie's home runs look like she's swinging half power.

I've noted this before. She really doesn't have what would described as a classic swing. It's almost like she is chopping wood. But it is short and direct and, for whatever reason. the ball just jumps off of her bat. Clearly she is a strong, young lady because she is not that big. 5-6 I believe.

You don't hit the ball like Addie does without generating some above average bat head speed. I always heard the Hank Aaron, who was not a large man, had tremendously strong wrists. I wonder if that is part of Addie's success as a home run hitter as well.

HCKB may want to make tossing hay bales and showing cattle a regular part of the team's conditioning program.

[1972Shocker]

The Shockers have tied last year's team for the most home runs in a season at 103. I thought this record was going to stand for a long while. Shows you what I know. The next best total was 59 in 2018.

And these year's Shocks did this despite losing 2 starting position players to season ending injuries.

[1972Shocker]

Much different game going on over in Orlando. After 4 innings league leader UCF is leading Tulsa 2-0. Tulsa only has 1 hit and UCF only has 2 hits.

Update: And that is where it ends up. UCF 2 - Tulsa 0

[1972Shocker]

BTW, I believe Sydney is now the career hits leader at Wichita State with 252 hits passing Britnee Barnett's 250 from 2005-2008. This includes the Covid shortened 2020 season when the Shocks played 27 games. Sydney has the rest of this year and next to add to her career totals.

[WuDrWu]

Indeed you did. I am quite sure that is a WSU record and I will bet it is also a new NCAA records. Not watching but will later. Not sure I have ever seen the likes of that.

That would be a good bet. The old record, before today, was 5 by several teams.

10 home runs in a game ties for 2nd all time behind a 13 HR game for (surprise) Oklahoma last year vs UTEP.

There were a bunch of records broken today, not the least of which was Syd's most hits in a career by a Shocker.

Addie breaks her own school records for HR and RBI with each one here on out.

The team obliterated Shocker single game team records for Runs, RBI, HR, hits and total bases.

[WuDrWu]

BTW, I believe Sydney is now the career hits leader at Wichita State with 252 hits passing Britnee Barnett's 250 from 2005-2008. This includes the Covid shortened 2020 season when the Shocks played 27 games. Sydney has the rest of this year and next to add to her career totals.

I was wondering about this....are we sure Syd will play next season?

[1972Shocker]

I was wondering about this....are we sure Syd will play next season?

I am not, buy seems like she loves to play. Good student. Not sure if she has plans for post-grad studies and degree. I will bet that she will be back. She just seems to be having too much fun.

[BAShocker]

They are the lone bright spot (I think) in WSU athletics. Moreover, they are extremely fun to watch.

[1972Shocker]

They are the lone bright spot (I think) in WSU athletics. Moreover, they are extremely fun to watch.

Yes, they are. Still they are right on the edge of making the NCAA Tournament. Need a strong finish and hopefully the pitching will hold up.

Volleyball finished better than expected.

Yazmine Wright had a great XC season culminating in an indvidual AAC Championship. She also had a very good Indoor track season.

The Shocker men's XC team finished 2nd behind Tulsa (who has won every men's AAC XC Championship so far). Fresham Adria Navajon came out of nowhere to win the AAC Indoor Heptathlon Championship and Michael Bryan has had a great year in the Indoor weigh throw and the Outdoor Hammer Throw and may even contend for a national title in the hammer throw. I am probably missing some other notable individual perforumances.

The Shockers men's track team finished 3rd in the AAC Indoor Championship. Might want to keep an eye on them in the upcoming AAC Outdoor Championships at Cessna Stadium in mid-May. In fact, if your are able you might enjoy taking in some of that action.

Those are the highlights that come to mind off the cuff. But the lowlights thsi year definitely out-weigh the bright spots.

[1972Shocker]

That would be a good bet. The old record, before today, was 5 by several teams.

10 home runs in a game ties for 2nd all time behind a 13 HR game for (surprise) Oklahoma last year vs UTEP.

There were a bunch of records broken today, not the least of which was Syd's most hits in a career by a Shocker.

Addie breaks her own school records for HR and RBI with each one here on out.

The team obliterated Shocker single game team records for Runs, RBI, HR, hits and total bases.

One other record that was broken was total basis by an individual as Addie had 14 total bases (3 home runs and a double) to break the record set set by Macklin HItz (what a great name for a softball player) who had 13 total basis against Missouri State on April 20, 2016. Addie had been 3rd on that list with 11 last year against Creighton which was 1 behind Lolo and her 3 home run game against Lamar last year.

Odds heavily in favor of Addie reaching the 30 home run mark this season as she only needs one more. Not sure she can get 5 more stolen bases to get to 30 though. She just doesn't get to 1st with 2nd base open that much lately although I am surprised teams don't pitch around her more. Maybe it's because walking her is like giving up a double and the young ladies hitting behind Sydney aren't exactly slouches.

[rrshock]

One other record that was broken was total basis by an individual as Addie had 14 total bases (3 home runs and a double) to break the record set set by Macklin HItz (what a great name for a softball player) who had 13 total basis against Missouri State on April 20, 2016. Addie had been 3rd on that list with 11 last year against Creighton which was 1 behind Lolo and her 3 home run game against Lamar last year.

Odds heavily in favor of Addie reaching the 30 home run mark this season as she only needs one more. Not sure she can get 5 more stolen bases to get to 30 though. She just doesn't get to 1st with 2nd base open that much lately although I am surprised teams don't pitch around her more. Maybe it's because walking her is like giving up a double and the young ladies hitting behind Sydney aren't exactly slouches.

Oh the troubles of a great hitting team...

[1972Shocker]

The game was not on ESPN+ but video of the game without play-by-play announcing (just the PA announcer) is on the ECUpirates com website. I watched the first 3 innings after the stormy weather passed last night before falling asleep. So did see the first 8 or 9 home runs. Their was absolutely no wind.

Addie's 2nd home run in the 2nd was interesting. Looked like she just kind of poked a ball on the outer half. Initially I am thinking a single or maybe even a double to right center. The ball hit halfway up the scoreboard in right center.

Lainee got into hers pretty good as it clearedcleared the batter's eye in center.

Lolo, though, gets the award for hardest hit home runs. Her first home run was an absolute laser into the right field corner. Probably never got higher than 12 feet above ground. Her 2nd homer was a majestic blast to right. I am not sure where that landed but as Crash Davis said, "Something hit that far should have a stewardess on it".

[SubGod22]

This team is bad ass.

The pride of Shocker Nation

[1972Shocker]

Game 2

Caitlyn Bingham in the circle for the Shocks. Jordan Hatch pitching for the Pirates.

What a difference a day makes. ECU is leading the Shocks 1-0 after 4 innings. Both teams with only 3 hits. One of ECU's hits was a lead off home run in the 2nd for the only run of the game.

Shocks get a lead off single by Jessica in the 5th but LoLo and Lainee struckout and Wylie flied out to right field.

ECU put runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out in the bottom of the 5th on a seeing-eye single to the left side and an infield hit but Caitlyn got a couple of ground ball outs to end the threat.

If the Shocks are going to do this the top of the 6th would be a good time. Top of the order leading off. Sydney singles up the middle. The leading home run hitter in the nation lays down a successful sac bunt moving Sydney to 2nd. Lauren hits a can of corn to left for out #2. Sydney moves over to 3rd on a wild pitch. Zoe delivers a big 2-out double to the wall in right center to tie them game. Neleigh struck out.

ECU goes down in order in the bottom of the 6th. On to the 7th tied at 1.

Jessica leads off the Shocker 7th with a 4-pitch walk. Lolo unable to get down a sac bunt strikes out looking at a changeup. Cassie Passwaters, pinch hitting for Lainee, worked a 9-pitch walk. Lainee replaces Cassie on the bases. Wylie pops up to 2nd for out #2. Sydney falls behind 10-2 before grounding a single past the 2nd baseman into center scoring Jessica with the go ahead run. ECU walks Addie intentionally to load the bases . Lauren jumped ahead in the count 2-0 and then unloaded a no doubter to right center. Lauren new it was gone when she hit it as she jumped for joy before heading around the bases. Shocks score 5 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks to lead 6-1 with 3 outs to get.

Caitlyn gives up a double and single to the first 2 batters in the 7th putting runners at the corners with no outs. A 3-run home to left follows and ECU close to 6-4 with no outs. Erin McDonald comes on in relief of Caitlyn. Erin gets a strikeout and after falling behind the next batter 3-1 got a little pop off the handle of the bat that she made a nice play on for the 2nd out. However, she walks the next batter bringing the tying run to the plate in the form of the ECU player that hit the 2nd inning home run. Erin responds with a 4-pitch strikeout to end the game and the Shocks escape with a 6-4 win.

At the time Lauren's 7th inning grand slam looked like it might just be icing on the cake but turned to be badly needed insurance runs that saved the day for the Shocks. I don't know if the AAC gives out a most improved player award in softball but if they do Lauren has to be the winner of that IMO.

Caitlyn pitched very well for 6 innings in high leverage situations. Once her team gave he a somewhat comfortable lead she faltered. Fortunately, Erin was able to come in and close it out.

[ShockTalk]

Whew!!