22/25 Shocker SB v 2/2 Oklahoma State

[flyingMoose]

The mid-week game for the Shockers is the first of two such games against the Cowgirls of 2 Oklahoma State. The teams play again in two weeks in Stillwater.

Oklahoma State has a record of 32-2 with a mark of 17-1 against teams at least RV in one of the two primary polls. They have two wins over Nebraska, two over UCF, and one over Tulsa. Their RPI is 3.

There are four Cowgirls with an OPS above 1.000 and three more above .900. Leaders are Rachel Becker (1.357), Kiley Naomi (1.194 and eight homers), Katie Lott (1.161) and Micaela Wark (1.120 and six homers). Pitching in IP order is Kelly Maxwell (78.0 IP, ERA of 1.62, WHIP of 0.95), Lexi Kilfoyl (62.0, 1.35, 0.84), and Kyra Aycock (52.0, 1.88, 1.06).

There are still five Shockers with an OPS above 1.000: Sydney (1.362), Lolo (1.282 and nine homers), Addison (1.197 and ten homers), Zoe (1.146 and twelve homers), and Lauren (1.054). The pitching in IP order is Lo (90.1, 2.17, 1.07), Alison (80.0, 2.80, 1.48) and Alex (62.0, 1.81, 1.02)

[shockerfan_realist]

This is a huge game here. A win here and then Memphis and Houston are for sure sweep candidates and all the sudden we are looking down the barrel of sneaking into a Regional down the stretch.

[SubGod22]

Trying not to get to far ahead on that thinking though as this is also a huge challenge. If Lauren is dialed in and the offense can muster more than they did last year, maybe there's a chance. But Lauren has to bring her A game.

[flyingMoose]

Trying not to get to far ahead on that thinking though as this is also a huge challenge. If Lauren is dialed in and the offense can muster more than they did last year, maybe there's a chance. But Lauren has to bring her A game.

Interesting question. Who will get the start/innings? Lauren pitched Sunday, and the conference series is ThuFriSat because of Easter. We could see Lauren get the start and move to the backend of the conference starts (after all, it is Memphis); we could see Alison and Alex sharing the innings by design; we could see other combinations sharing the innings.

The Shockers will be playing in the postseason. Hosting is a Big Ask. Going into the postseason with a healthy staff (and not being sent to Norman again) is more important than hosting. Yes, hosting with the attendant recognition/honor would be very nice, but ... . All IMHO, subject to change as soon as I hit Post Reply. :)

[SubGod22]

Interesting question. Who will get the start/innings? Lauren pitched Sunday, and the conference series is ThuFriSat because of Easter. We could see Lauren get the start and move to the backend of the conference starts (after all, it is Memphis); we could see Alison and Alex sharing the innings by design; we could see other combinations sharing the innings.

The Shockers will be playing in the postseason. Hosting is a Big Ask. Going into the postseason with a healthy staff (and not being sent to Norman again) is more important than hosting. Yes, hosting with the attendant recognition/honor would be very nice, but ... . All IMHO, subject to change as soon as I hit Post Reply. :)

The great thing about softball is there's little worry about a pitcher working too much. Lauren should be fine to go tonight and then again on Thursday if they want her to. I don't think pitching her is going to risk her health or the season. This is a chance for the Shox to get a huge statement win and I'd be disappointed in Coach B if she didn't throw her best starter.

And, with Memphis being the weekend opponent you don't have to worry about throwing Lauren at any point if she's fatigued for some reason. Alex and Allison have both done pretty good jobs this year and are more than capable of shutting down the Tigers.

I'm more concerned about the offense producing. If they don't, then it doesn't matter who we throw.

[shockerfan_realist]

The great thing about softball is there's little worry about a pitcher working too much. Lauren should be fine to go tonight and then again on Thursday if they want her to. I don't think pitching her is going to risk her health or the season. This is a chance for the Shox to get a huge statement win and I'd be disappointed in Coach B if she didn't throw her best starter.

And, with Memphis being the weekend opponent you don't have to worry about throwing Lauren at any point if she's fatigued for some reason. Alex and Allison have both done pretty good jobs this year and are more than capable of shutting down the Tigers.

I'm more concerned about the offense producing. If they don't, then it doesn't matter who we throw.

It also helps that Memphis is the worst team in the conference so you could get away with only making Lauren pitch 3-4 innings and getting Schopfer some innings.

[shockerfan_realist]

Anyone going tonight??

[ShockerFever]

Really hoping the girls keep this at the very least respectable.

Going through another Stanford would be a pretty big letdown IMO.

[shocks02]

Seeing the ball well so far. Have to keep it up because OSU will score some runs.

[SubGod22]

Sami goes yard and may have hit a car to lead off the bottom of the 2nd

[RoyalShock]

Shocks have tacked on two more and OSU goes to the bullpen.

[SubGod22]

[shocks02]

Pitching change. Wonder if they’ll bring in their ace,Maxwell. 3-0 Shockers.

[SubGod22]

[shocks02]

It’s not the ace. Time to keep raking.