Shocker SB at GCU Kickoff Classic

[Shockm]

A closer game than the final score of 8-1 would indicate.

Not uncommon in baseball and softball, where good defense is largely up the middle and a goid pitcher can hold another team down. And then on offense, good hitting often is contagious, and the long ball will break a close game wide open. IOW, scores are often deceiving.

[WuDrWu]

I hope we're a shade sharper at the plate this morning.

We will be walking into a wood chipper next weekend in Clearwater. So far the other 5 teams are 19-3 with about half the wins mercy shortened. FSU split with #4 Oklahoma State and SDSU lost a brutal game to #3 Oklahoma 11-6 in 9 innings. SDSU had 2nd and 3rd nobody out and didn't cash anyone in the bottom of the 6th that probably cost them a top 5 win.

Next weekend will be an entirely different animal.

[WuDrWu]

Shocks are the road team.

Ellee walks and Jodie drives her in with a double. Lauren moves Jodie to 3rd on a ground out. Taylor reaches on an error, Jodie scores and it's 2-0.

Caroline homers and it's 4-0.

[1972Shocker]

Looks like Riley gets the start in the circle today. The Shockers are the visitors today. 5-batters in and the Shocks have already spotted Riley a 4-0 lead. Epperson with a double and Tallent with a home run in the inning.

[WuDrWu]

Lineup wise, Brookelyn is in the DP spot today and Ryley starts in the circle.

Sami flies out but Brookelyn extends the inning with a single. Catelyn pops out to end the inning. 4-0 Shocks after a half an inning.

[WuDrWu]

Bottom 1 and Ryley is in a pickle. A single, then a foul out followed by a double and Colgate have runners at 2nd and 3rd with just one out.

Another single and it's 4-1 with runners now at the corners and still just 1 out.

Ryley wiggles off the hook with no more damage after a K and flyout leaves the runners stranded. 4-1 Shocks after 1.

[WuDrWu]

Krystin Nelson walks to lead off the 2nd but Elle flies out to center and Jodie flies out to left.

With 2 out Lauren grounds to 2nd but an error puts runners at 2nd and 3rd, still 2 out.

Taylor walks to load the bases. (I failed to mention Colgate went to the pen in the first after 7 batters) With the bases loaded, Caroline strides to the plate in an attempt to blow this game wide open.

She grounds into a fielder's choice this time and it's still 4-1 Shocks going to the bottom of the 2nd.

[WuDrWu]

Had an unfortunate minor emergency here and missed the rest of the game. I'm sure fM or 72 will fill in the details but the Shocks win 9-1 shortened after 5.

Kentucky lost 6-3 to #8 Duke this morning. Next week is going to be much much more difficult.

[shoxlax]

If we.can win at least two games next weekend I will be happy.

[flyingMoose]

The Shockers have a big top of the third. Sami doubled, and Brookelyn doubled with Sami stopping at third. A single by Catelyn scored them both. Krystin followed with an infield single. With two outs, Lauren's single scored Krystin, Jodie scored on a throwing error as Lauren stole second, and a single by Taylor scored Lauren. A five-spot, and the score is 9-1 in the middle of the third.

Alex enters the circle in the bottom of the third. Two runners reach base for Colgate, but a DP on a pop fly to Krystin ends the threat. Chloe is on to pitch the bottom of the fourth. Two runners reach on a hit batter and an infield single, but no runs score.

On some untimely base running, Ellee doubles to open the Shocker fifth but is out (rounding second base too far?), and Jodie has an infield single but is thrown out 3-4 (because of committing to second base in some fashion?).

The Raiders get a one-out walk in their half of the fifth, but Chloe ends the game with a strikeout.

Shockers 9-1(5) Colgate



Brookelyn had three hits, and Caroline had a home run. Three pitchers shared the five innings with Alex getting the win, moving to 3-0 on the season.

[flyingMoose]

Other Sunday Game

Montana 0-8(6) Grand Canyon

[1972Shocker]

Was a surprised to see Chloe today. I guess HCKB really wanted to make sure they got the run-rule I know Chloe is going to have to be anchor on the pitching staff this year but I was hoping we could by this weekend without using her so much.

[flyingMoose]

Was a surprised to see Chloe today.

Me, too. Was there some stuff they wanted Chloe to work on? Is Alex a little dinged up and did not want to use her too much? They had a tight schedule for the plane ride home? :)

[flyingMoose]

Just now bothered to look at the Polls. Grand Canyon was a tie for RV35 in the Preseason Coach's Poll.

This week's polls are not out until Tuesday. Rankings of interest will be noted in the Clearwater write-up.