Shocker SB Hosts UCF - AAC Title in Play

[1972Shocker]

Shocks need one more win. Despite the way game 1 ended I am not expecting it will be easy. I expect UCF to be more aggressive on the base paths today.

[1972Shocker]

I wouldn't say Caitlyn was super sharp but a good start setttng down ECU in order to start the game.

Kama Woodall in the circle for UCF. Shock get a lead off bunt single from Sydney and a 2-out single from Zoe but are unable to score. Scoreless after 1.

Steve Strain comments on how UCF did not get a ball out of the infield in the 1st inning. I thought to myself, 'nice jinx". UCF gets a lead off home run.

Shockers manage to push a run across in the 3rd without hittin the ball hard. 2 seeing-eye ground ball singles and walk with 1 out load the bases. A slow roller by Zoe to short gets the rund home.

So far, outside of Sydney, not all that impressed with the Shokcers approach at the plate. But Woodall has been pretty good so perhaps more credit due to her.

Lauren Lucas gambles on a little blooper to shallow center and loses as he ball bounces by her for a triple with 1 out. A sharply hit one hopper nicely fielded gy Neleigh who freezes the runner at 3rd and tags the batter out. Another grounder to Neleigh's right on which she makes a nice back hand stab and steps on first as the Shocks escape with game still tied.

Nothing doing for the Shocks in the 6th. On to the 7th tieds at 1-all.

3-4-5 hitters due up for UCF. A little blooper to right falls about 1 foot inside the line for a single to lead off the UCF at bat. After the next hitter fails twice in getting a bunt down, Caitlyn uncorks a wild pitch then a bouncer back to Caitlyn produces an out at 1st but the UCF runner advances to 3rd. UCF puts on a squeeze plays and lays down a nice bunt but Neleigh is on it like white on rice and the Shocks get the out at home. The UCF runner then steals 2nd to get into scoring position. On a 2-2 count Caitlyn delivers a great change up for a called 3rd strike as that ptich simply froze the UCF batter. The Shocks escape their 2nd consecutive runner at 3rd with 1 out situation.

Shockers have 7-8-9 due up in the bottom of the 7th but Lolo is pinch hittting for Krystin Nelson. On a full count Lolo lines a solidly hit ball towards the corner in left but the UCF leftfielder made a superb running, leaping catch. If Lolo had been able to elevate that ball just a littl more it is probably out of the park.f Cassie Passwaters pinch hitting for Wylie slices a solid single to left past a diving shortstop bring Sydney to the plate. Sydney stirkes out. Looked to me like she was trying to go deep.

Free softball coming.

With 1 out UCF gets a sharply hit single to left and chopper up the middle that the Shocks were unable to get to second quick enough for the force out out of the #8 and #9 hitters. A sharp grounder up the middle is fielded by Zoe but her glove toss to Sydney was mishandled for an error to load the bases with 1 out.
A line drive single to right scores 2 and UCF takes a 3-1 lead. Caitlyn gets a shallow fly ball for out #2 but walks the next batter to reload the bases. Lauren then runs down a long fly ball to straight away center and makes a terrific back-to-the infield, backhanded catch at the wall.

Lauren walks with 1 out but Zoe grounds into a game ending 1-4-3 double play.

UCF 3 - WSU 1

Caitlyn Bingham pitched agout as well a she could but UCF's Kama Woodall was very good. I thought the Shockers should have been trying to shoot the ball to the opposite field the way Woodall was pitching but other than a few instances they did not take that approach.

The Shocks defense was very good in this game, especially Neleigth, until the 8th and the error by Sydney, probably our best defensive player, proved fatal.

UCF secures at least a share of the regular season title. Shocks need to win tomorrow to grab a share of the AAC regular season title and perhaps as, or more, importantly tomorrow's winner will secure the #1 seed in the AAC Touranment.

[Veritas]

The stadium needs some stadium mics to pick up stadium and crowd noise. Sounds dead there and we know that isn’t the case.

[shoxlax]

NM

[SubGod22]

Huge day today. We honor the seniors while playing for an American title. Should be a warm and beautiful afternoon for softball.

Let's go!!!

[shoxlax]

Just my opinion, win today and we lock up an at large bid if we don’t win tournament.

[1972Shocker]

Just my opinion, win today and we lock up an at large bid if we don’t win tournament.

I agree. But with the NCAA you just really never know for sure.

[1972Shocker]

Erin McDonald vs Gianna Mancha in the circle today.

Erin gives up a 1 out single in the top of the 1st but got to pop ups agains UCF;s 3 and 4 hitters on nice rise balls.

Sydney leads off the top of the Shocker 1st by bouncing one off the top of the centerfield wall for a home run. Shockers lead 1-0.

After tying the game in the top of the 3rd UCF had a runner on third with one out. The runner on 3rd, with very good speed, tried to score on a medium depth fly ball to left center but Lauren Lucas uncorked a stirke to Lainee Brown to get the runner at the plate and preserve the 1-all tie.

In the bottom of the 3rd Sydney walks and after Addie stuck out tried to steal on a 2-2 pitch to Lauren and was thrown out. On the next pitch Lauren drops one of just over the wall just inside the left field fair pole.

With runners on 1st and 2nd and 2 outs Erin serves one up on a platter and a 3-run home run makes it 4-2 heading into the bottom of the 4th.

[Shock Top]

If the Softball team makes the tourney again, it might be time to give them a dedicated section on the site.

[shoxlax]

Not feeling great about this.

[1972Shocker]

UCF puts up a 5 spot in the 6th to make it 9-2. I don't anticipate the Shocks will be able to comeback from that against UCF. But I guess you never know for sure.

The Shocks do get a 2-out pinch hit 3-run homer on an 0-2 pitch from Cassie Passwaters to make it 9-5 after 6. And the Shocks do have the top of the order coming up in the bottom of the 7th.

[SubGod22]

Not getting virtually any calls around the knees has really hurt both McDonald and Bingham; forcing them to elevate more pitches which hasn't ended well. When you're not overpowering and not getting the calls low in the zone it's going to be rough

[SubGod22]

No shame in 2nd.

[shoxlax]

They have consistently better pitching and the bottom of the order came through for them today. I think we need another win or two to be safe.

[1972Shocker]

No shame in 2nd.

No shame but even a share of the title this year probably locks the Shocks into the NCAA Tournament, Plus gives them a 1st round bye in the AAC Tournament which is a 3-day single elimination tournament.

So the Shocks go into the AAC Tournament perhaps needing to get to the Championship game to secure an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. That probably means going through Georgina Corrick to get there.

The Shocks will play Memphis in the opening round.next Thursday. The Fighting Corricks will play ECU on Thursday. The winners of those two games, most likely WSU and USF, play on Friday with the winner advancing to the Championship game. Most likely UCF who will only have to beat the winner of the Houston vs Tulsa game to make the Championship game.

The Shocker smash and bash game probably does not match up against Corrick as well as UCF's small ball/speed game does but the Shocks did beat her 2-1 behind a breakout game by Alison Cooper. Unlikely, that the Shocks will score more that 2 to 3 runs against Corrick so they will need to pitch well to get by USF.