Shocker SB at GCU Kickoff Classic

[flyingMoose]

I caught a couple of innings of this on the Plus. GCU looks like a very solid team. No doubt the Shocks will have their hands full. NIU wasn't horrible by any stretch, just over matched.

Very, very small sample size though.

In the post-game comments, the GCU coach noted that they were much younger than last year and were a little jittery in front of the crowd of 1208. I had the same impression about NIU when looking at the box score. Only one error in the two games, while GCU had four. They did strike out 16 times in the two games. But hey, they didn't get run-ruled. :)

[flyingMoose]

Game One

Northern Illinois v Shockers

Starters: Ellee Eck LF, Jodie Epperson CF, Lauren RF, Taylor SS, Sami 2b, Caroline 1b, Camryn dp, Catelyn Beckerley c, and Krystin 3b with Alex in the circle.

Danielle Stewart, a Preseason All-MAC selection, is in the circle for NIU.


NOTE: I will do a "summary" post (for those who check in later) as long as I can. The "play-by-play" posts by others are below.

A single for the Huskies opens their top of the first, but a 4-6-3 double play ends their at-bat. The Shocks strike quickly: Elle is a hit-by-pitch, and Jodie and Lauren follow with home runs. So much for small ball. Sami reaches on an error with one out and advances to third on a single by Caroline who advances to second on the throw. Two outs follow. Two strikeouts by Stewart. Shockers, 3-0 after one.

A hit batter with two outs in the second leads to nothing for NIU. Krystin has an infield single to start the Shocker second. After a groundout, an error on Jodie's ground ball puts runners at the corners. Jodie steals second, and Lauren walks to load the bases. A foul out and ground out end the threat. 3-0 after two.

A lead-off single and a sac bunt put a Huskie in scoring position in the third. An infield single, and there are runners at the corners. An out later, the runner on first takes second. Nice idea. A single up the middle scores both runners with the batter advancing to second on the throw. Single and triple and the Huskies have the lead. 4-3 in the middle of the third.

Cassell is in to pitch to start the bottom of the third. Not nearly the talent of Stewart, so just a different look? Caroline greets her with a double to center on the first pitch. After advancing on a fly out, a sac line drive by Catelyn scores Caroline. Krystin walks and steals second but is thrown out by the CF at third. No comment; need to look at the pbp posts later to learn what they saw. 4-4 after three.

Two pitches; two outs in the NIU fourth. A strikeout follows, and we move to the bottom of the fourth. Lauren singles with two outs, and Taylor homers on a full-count pitch. Shockers, 6-4 after four.

NIU gets an infield single with two outs, but Alex gets a fly out to end the inning. 6-4 in the middle of the fifth.

Four runs in the fifth for the Shocks. Double by Camryn and homer by Catelyn for two runs. Ellee is hit by a pitch and Jodie has her second homer of the game for the next two runs. Shockers 10-4 after five.

Ava Sliger starts the sixth in the circle for the Shocks. A pair of three-up, three-downs in the sixth. 10-4.

With two outs in the seventh, Ava allows a single and hits a batter. She get the next out to close out the game.

Northern Illinois 4-10 Shockers


Five homers and two doubles among the ten hits for the Shocks.

[WuDrWu]

No big lineup surprises.

Alex in the circle so Chloe can go tonight.

Ellee leads off in LF
Epperson in C
Lauren Lucas in RF
Taylor SS
Sami 2B
Tallent 1B
Compton DP
Beckerley C
Nelson 3B

[WuDrWu]

I suppose Catelyn Beckerley at catcher is at least intriguing if not a surprise, but we knew that was the most unsettled position for the early lineup.

[SubGod22]

I didn't even know Beckerley was a catcher. Kind of surprised Lucas is in RF if they're worried about her arm strength having not returned.

[shocks02]

Good start to Jodie Epperson's Shocker career. Eck walks and then Jodie hits a two-run bomb.

[shocks02]

Lauren Lucas back also. Solo shot. 3-0 Shockers.

[SubGod22]

Lauren follows up with a solo bomb. Welcome back!!!

[OSShock]

Lauren is going to have a monster year.

[SubGod22]

Lauren is going to have a monster year.

I'm a bit giddy about this years team and a lot of it has to do with her return helping anchor this lineup.

[WuDrWu]

Chicks dig the long ball.

[SubGod22]

I dig chicks that hit the long ball

[1972Shocker]

Good opportunity squandered in the 2nd.

[WuDrWu]

Well, they're already deciding to pitch around Lauren after 1 bomb. She walks, loading the bases (first was open so I can kind of understand it but still) with one out.

Shocks can't pay it off though as Taylor fouls out and Sami grounds out to end the 2nd.

3-0 Shocks after 2 full.

[1972Shocker]

Well, they're already deciding to pitch around Lauren after 1 bomb.

Need Taylor and Sami or whoever will be batting behind her to make that a less appealing option.