Black and Yellow Challenge

[flyingMoose]

In preparation for Bradley and Western Illinois coming to town this weekend, we have the following. At the moment, the first Tweet. You will know which one I am referring to if it moves down.

[Critter's Pa]

Those Macaws better get that out of their system before LoLo comes to town. I guess they will be okay as long as they don't hang out in homerun territory.

[flyingMoose]

I later read that they are pets who are free-flight trained. (Know to come home?) Guess they wanted to see what the ruckus was over at the ball park.

[flyingMoose]

The 25/RV Shockers continue their pre-conference schedule this weekend with their first home games when Western Illinois and Bradley pay a visit to Wilkins Stadium. The Shocks play Western at 215 pm on Saturday with a game against Bradley following next. On Sunday, the visitors switch places with the Shocks against Bradley at 115 pm and the game against Western Illinois immediately following. The Leathernecks and the Braves play the first game each day, at noon on Saturday and 11 am on Sunday.

Western Illinois are picked for last in the eight-team Summit League. Georgia Rea and pitcher Savannah Rodriguez are Players to Watch in the Summit. The Leathernecks record to date is 6-7 versus very average competition. Bella Alvarez has an OPS of 1.128 with Gabriela Brager at .930. Rodriguez (ERA of 4.69 and WHIP of 1.49) and Emily Price (1.95 and 1.21) are the pitchers in IP order.

Bradley are picked ninth of the twelve teams in the Valley. Their record is 5-9 against competition a bit better than that of Western. Abbot Badgely is on the Preseason All-MVC Team. The pitching is led by Badgely (6.09 and 1.56) and Grace French (10.54 and 2.12). Camryn Schaller has seen time in the circle but has not started a game. French (1.319) and Lauren DeRolf (1.073) are the leading hitters for the Braves.

The Shockers have won seven consecutive games and now stand at 12-3. The Fab Five hitting-wise are Sydney (1.741), Zoe (1.249 and six homers), Lolo (1.149 and three homers), LaurenL (1.134), and Addison (1.030). Addison has an injured shoulder and may not be available this weekend. The pitching continues to be better than expected. In IP order, Alison (3.34 and 1.43), LaurenH (1.35 and 1.06), and Alex (1.64 ad 094).

This weekend has the earmarks of four runs-ahead wins.

[SubGod22]

[shocks02]

Top of the wish-list for this weekend has to be a confidence boost for the bottom of the lineup. 1-5 in our lineup can compete with anyone, but 6-9 has to step it up a little.

[flyingMoose]

Other Saturday Game

Bradley 8-0 Western Illinois
A one-hitter for Badgley for the Braves. She also homered and doubled with three RBI.

[SubGod22]

No Addie in the lineup

[shocks02]

No Addie in the lineup

Not good

[flyingMoose]

Game One

Western Illinois at Shockers

Lineup: Syd, Lauren, Zoe 3B, Lolo, Sami, Bailey LF, Caroline 1B, Lainee, Taylor RF with Alex in the circle. It is no surprise that Addison is out. She would have to be 110% recovered to chance playing this particular weekend.

Kathryn McChristy, a freshman, is the starter for Western. In fourteen innings, her numbers are 4.50 and 1.57.


Three in a row for Alex in the first. Syd leads off the Shocker half with a triple, and Lauren singles her home. Zoe walks and Sami singles to load the bases with one out. Bailey's sac fly scores a second run. 2-0 Shocks after one.

Back-to-back singles lead off the second for the Leathernecks. A strikeout and two fly outs follow. 2-0 in the middle of the second.

Taylor doubles with one out. Sydney singles her to third and advances on the throw. Lauren scores them both with a triple. The hit parade continues with a run-scoring double by Zoe. 5-0 after two complete.

[shocks02]

Game One

Western Illinois at Shockers

Lineup: Syd, Lauren, Zoe 3B, Lolo, Sami, Bailey LF, Caroline 1B, Lainee, Taylor RF with Alex in the circle. It is no surprise that Addison is out. She would have to be 110% recovered to chance playing this particular weekend.

Kathryn McChristy, a freshman, is the starter for Western. In fourteen innings, her numbers are 4.50 and 1.57.

Hope you’re right, but we don’t know if Addie’s injury isn’t more serious than that.

[flyingMoose]

Hope you’re right, but we don’t know if Addie’s injury isn’t more serious than that.

And nobody is going to tell us either. :)

[flyingMoose]

A throwing error by Alex opens the third for Western. The runner advances to second on a wild pitch but goes no further.

Sophia Honse(7.50 and 3.00 in 4.2 innings) is in the circle for Western to start the bottom of the third. Caroline walks with one out, and Lainee follow with a two-run blast. Sydney singles and steals second, but Lauren cannot get her across. Shockers lead 7-0 after three.

[1972Shocker]

Hope you’re right, but we don’t know if Addie’s injury isn’t more serious than that.

I don't think we have any idea of the nature or severity of Addie's injury. The only thing I have heard is she won't be available this weekend. Nor have I heard that whatever is ailing her may have contributed in some way to her slow start this season.

[1972Shocker]

Did not take Sydney long to extend her hitting streak to 34 games. I think that lead of triple came on a change up. The way she adjusted is just one example of whay she is such a good hitter.