Shocker SB at ECU

[1972Shocker]

UCF edged Tulsa today 2-1 to maintain their 1-game lead over the Shocks in the AAC standings.

[1972Shocker]

Whew!!

After seeing how tough ECU had played UCF earlier in the season today's game was more like I was expecting than yesterday's craziness. A game like this will also be much better preparation for the upcoming UCF series than another blowout.

[flyingMoose]

I think the Sunday game is dangerous. Estes was embarrassed by the Shocks on Friday, and I doubt she will take that well.

[1972Shocker]

I think the Sunday game is dangerous. Estes was embarrassed by the Shocks on Friday, and I doubt she will take that well.

Yes, that and perhaps ECU figured out a good way to pitch to the Shocks. I think the Shocks saw a lot of spinning and changes up today.

[Mr. Pickle]

11 game win streak and sweep over ECU today, a final of 8-1.

[1972Shocker]

Yes, that and perhaps ECU figured out a good way to pitch to the Shocks. I think the Shocks saw a lot of spinning and changes up today.

Game 3 is already in the books. Apparently, our worries were unfounded and I suspect that HCKB wasn't all that happy with the offense taking so long to get going yesterday and probably had some words of wisdon for her team. The Shocks get the sweep over ECU with an 8-1 win. Freshman Alison Cooper goes the distance allowing only a 5th inning running on 6 hits. She had 7 strikeouts which is very good for Alison but I think the key is that she only walked 1.

Actually, Jordan Hatch who was pretty effective against the Shockers for 6 innings yesterday started. But only last one inning, giving up home runs to Addison and Zoe. Logyn Estes came on in the 2nd. The Shocks didn't treat her nearly as badly as they did on Friday but they did additional damage to her ERA.

The bats got going early as the Shocks scored at least 1 run in each of the first 5 innings. The Shocks homered 5 times with Zoe leading the way with 2 home runs and 4 RBI. Sydney, Addison and Lolo also homered. Addison's home run was her 30th of the season.

BTW, Lauren's grand slam in the 7th inning yesterday was the Shocks 104 of the season breaking the single season team home run record set by lasr year's Shockers. This year are now up to 109 home runs on the season.

Bottom line is the Shocks took care of business and have given themselves a shot at winning the AAC title with a showdown against UCF at Wilkins Stadium next weekend.

UCF is currently leading Tulsa 6-0 into the top of the 5th so will likely come to town with a 1-game lead over the Shocks.

[flyingMoose]

Other AAC Series

Tulsa 0-3 UCF
Only one run by Tulsa in the series

Houston 0-3 USF
No runs by Houston in the series

Memphis had the bye.

[1972Shocker]

The Shockers new team season home run record is even more impressive when you see that the 109 home runs this season (so far) have come in 44 games for an average of 2.48 home runs per game. Last year's record setting performance of 103 home runs came in 55 games for an average of 1.87 home runs per game.

[SubGod22]

D1 Softball now has the ladies at #24

[flyingMoose]

D1 Softball now has the ladies at #24

I am interested in the Bracketology that Graham Hays will publish this week (Tuesday?) in D1. But I am not interested enough to subscribe. :)

[WuDrWu]

Me too.

Not just winning the league title but probably more important is getting the 1 seed vs the trophy. The 1 seed gets a bye AND stays away from USF who (assuming they finish 3) would have to win the 1st round game then play the 2 seed while the 1 seed gets the winner likely between Tulsa and Houston.....a far cry from getting USF and Corrick.

[1972Shocker]

Heading into the final weekend the top of the AAC standings are:

1. UCF 14-1
2. WSU 13-2
3. USF 9-5 (USF had the final game of their series with Tulsa cancelled due to weather)

So it appears UCF and WSU have the top 2 spots locked up.

A Shocker sweep, which is possible but seemingly unlikely, would give the Shocker them the regular season championship and #1 seed in the AAC Tournament.

If the Shocks can take 2 out of 3 the the will be share the regular season title with UCF but I believe would still be the #1 seed because of winning the head-to-head matchup.

Also I think either of the above 2 scenarios would position the Shocks very well for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Anything less than the above puts the pressure on the Shocks to at least make it to the ACC Tournament Championship game if not win the Tournament.

One thing is clear the pitching the Shocks will face against UCF this weekend will be a few notches above what they have seen against in their two most recent series against Memphis and ECU.

I think UCF is pretty much a lock to make the NCAA Tournament one way or the other.

[1972Shocker]

Barnard Tabbed Player of the Week, Cooper Lands on Honor Roll

https://goshockers.com/news/2022/5/2/softball-barnard-tabbed-player-of-the-week-cooper-lands-on-honor-roll.aspx

In three games at East Carolina, Barnard was 6-for-10 at the plate with two doubles, four home runs, six runs scored and eight RBI. In the opening game of the series she tied the school record with three home runs, while driving in seven runs - tied for the second most in school history. Barnard is currently riding an 11-game hit streak, which included a six-game home run streak that tied for the second longest in NCAA history, before coming to an end in the middle game of the series vs. the Pirates.

During her home run parade in Greenville, Barnard belted her 30th home run of the season, becoming just the 14th player in NCAA history to hit 30 home runs in a season. It is tied for the seventh-most in NCAA history for a single season. Her current pace of 0.68 home runs per game in 2022 is the best in NCAA history. In 96 career games Barnard has hit 52 home runs.

This is the fourth American Player of the Week for Barnard this season and second straight week she has taken home the top weekly honor from the conference.

Cooper tossed a gem in Sunday's win against the Pirates to complete the series sweep. The lefty threw a complete game, allowing one run on six hits and striking out a season-high seven. She improved to 8-2 with a team-best 2.89 ERA.

It is the second weekly honor roll for Cooper this season.

[flyingMoose]

Polls (NFCA and ESPN)

21/19 UCF
---/RV USF
---/RV Shockers


and RPI

17 UCF
40 USF
41 Shockers

[1972Shocker]

NFCA Tabs Barnard National Player of the Week for Third Time

https://goshockers.com/news/2022/5/3/softball-nfca-tabs-barnard-national-player-of-the-week-for-third-time.aspx

For the second straight week and third time this season Addison Barnard has been named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Player of the Week.

Barnard and Oklahoma's Jocelyn Alo are the only players to earn National Player of the Week honors three times this season.