Shocker SB at Houston

[flyingMoose]

The Shockers continue their conference schedule with three games at Houston. Because of Easter weekend, the games will be played Thursday at 6 pm, Friday at 6 pm, and Saturday at noon.

The Cougars have a record of 23-16-1 and 7-1-1. Their last three conference series are against the Shockers, UCF, and USF.

The offensive leader for Houston is Becca Schulte (OPS of 1.128 and eleven homers) with Bethany Busch and Aspen Howie both above .900. Schulte is a graduate of Andover HS and played at Butler CC for two years, at LSU in 2018, sat out 2019 due to injury, joined Houston in 2020, and is a graduate student. I am not about to research the NCAA regs to understand how all of that came to be.

Most of the innings on the Cougar staff belong to Kenna Wilkey (ERA of 2.91 and WHIP of 1.20) and Hannah Todd (2.47 and 1.38).

The Shocker offense continues to be led by Addison (1.398 and eighteen homers), Sydney (1.373 and nine homers), and Neleigh (1.163 and ten homers) with Lauren and Zoe both having an OPS above 1.000.

Alison's outing against USF gives her the best ERA on the staff at 3.75 with a WHIP of 1.61. The innings leaders, however, continue to be Erin (4.67 and 1.64) and Caitlin (5.47 and 1.83).

Of note is that in the middle of the USF series (almost literally - in the middle of the second game of the series), Lauren was moved to CF and Addison to RF.

[1972Shocker]

Of note is that in the middle of the USF series (almost literally - in the middle of the second game of the series), Lauren was moved to CF and Addison to RF.

I actually thought that was a good move by HCKB.

[flyingMoose]

I actually thought that was a good move by HCKB.

Yes!! As demonstrated on Sunday with Lauren's catch in left-center. Addison had a couple of throwing errors on Saturday if I recall. Simply bad throws? Poor decisions also? No ESPN+, so I have no idea. I think she had throwing issues in other games also. However, it should be pointed out that she came to WSU with experience as an infielder only - I think.

[1972Shocker]

Yes!! As demonstrated on Sunday with Lauren's catch in left-center. Addison had a couple of throwing errors on Saturday if I recall. Simply bad throws? Poor decisions also? No ESPN+, so I have no idea. I think she had throwing issues in other games also. However, it should be pointed out that she came to WSU with experience as an infielder only - I think.

Her throws were not very good and maybe one was not very good plus a questionable decision. She throws the ball too high and tends to miss the cutoff. On one throw she air-mailed everyone as the ball sailed well over the catchers head.

For those who did not see Lauren's catch it was the AAC Play of the Week here it is:

[shoxlax]

Schulte would’ve helped us with her bat and pop but not sure where she would’ve played in the infield.

[flyingMoose]

Thursday Game

This will be my contribution for the day. May as well get it in early.

[1972Shocker]

Thursday Game

This will be my contribution for the day. May as well get it in early.

I'm limited to live stats until later but I can watch a replay later.

Alison Cooper in the circle for the Shocks.

Singles by Sydney and Lauren sandwiched around an Addison strikeout were followed by a Zoe home run to left to give the Shocks a 3-0 lead in the top of the 1st. Zoe may be our hottest hitter right now.

Addison appears to struggling right now. She has seen 7 pitches and struck out twice.

In the 4th Lainee delivered at 2-out RBI single to score Neleigh who had led off the inning with a single and moved to 2nd on a passed ball.

In the bottom half of the 5th Houston loaded the bases with one out on a walk, error by Sydney and anther walk. Didn't see it but based on the live stats description this is what I think happened next. A ground ball up the middle (I think maybe filed by Zoe but not sure) got an unassisted force out at 2nd. Apparently a throw to first was not in time to complete the double play but apparently the runner that was on second rounded 3rd base to aggressively and was out 3-5. The runner form 3rd did score during all this with an unearned run. After 4 the Shocks lead 4-1.

In the top of the 6th the Shockers loaded the bases with 1 out on hit by pitch, a single and a walk. Lainee lined a single to left on a 1-2 ptich to score Zoe who had been hit by a pitch. The ball was hit too sharply to score Neleigh from second. Cassie pinch hit fir Wylie and fell behind 1-2 but managed to get a fly ball to left just in foul territory but plenty deep enough to socre Neleigh. A bad throw the plate, totally air mailing the cutoff allowed the other runners to move up to wnd and 3rd. Sydney walked to reload the bases. Addison lined a dobule to the wall in left center to drive in 2 and moving Sydney to 3rd. Lauren then pretty much mirrors Addie's double with her own 2-run double to right center. And just like that it is 10-1 giving the Shocks a chance to end the game by run rule in the bottom of the 6th. Zoe reaches on an error by the 3rd baseman. Lauren holds on at 2nd. Houston goes to the bullpen for the 2nd time in the inning. A wild pitch moves the runners to 2nd and 3rd but Neleigh pops out to short.

The hit by pitch that started the Shocker 6-run 6th inning was on an 0-2 pitch. Ouch!

Alison gets a ground ball out and 2 strike outs in the 6th but is still pitching because Lainee kicked the ball around on what would have been the game ending K and the runner reached safely. Alison gets a pop up to Zoe for the 4th out of the inning to complete her consecutive gem. Only allowing a single and a double but she did walk 3. At this point though looks like the Shocks may have a new #1 in the rotation.

Final Score: Shocks 10-9-1 vs Houston 1-2-3

[flyingMoose]

With very nice back-to-back outings, I wonder if Alison ran into lineups she matches up well with or if some slight tweaks have been made (delivery, grip, etc) to move her to the next step. From the Twitter videos, I have the impression she is a curve ball, drop ball pitcher, but that could be wrong. HCKB certainly showed some belief in starting her in the first game of the series.

[1972Shocker]

With very nice back-to-back outings, I wonder if Alison ran into lineups she matches up well with or if some slight tweaks have been made (delivery, grip, etc) to move her to the next step. From the Twitter videos, I have the impression she is a curve ball, drop ball pitcher, but that could be wrong. HCKB certainly showed some belief in starting her in the first game of the series.

She definitely is not going to overpower hitters. Her game is to mix up her pitches, change speeds and move the ball around the perimeter of the strike zone with the goal of trying to keep the hitters off balance, guessing and perhaps a little impatient. She can walk a few batters with that approach.

[flyingMoose]

Friday Game

Same song, second verse. Will have to read about this one later.

[1972Shocker]

Caitlyn in the circle. Jessica at DP in place of LoLo. Otherwise same lineup as in Game 1.

Hannah Todd pitching for Houston.

[1972Shocker]

Sydney takes the 1st pitch of the game, that was a bit high in the zone and probably not a strike, over left field fence just clearing the outstretched glove of the leftfielder at the wall.

Addison singles up the middle and steals second. Lauren doubles to left center scoring Addison.

Zoe strikes out for the first out of the game. Neleigh walked and a bloop single to right by Jessica that just barely cleared the 2nd baseman loaded the bases.

Unfortunately, Krystin hit into a 6-3 double play on a slow roller to short that Neleigh basically ran into for the tag out by the shortstop. A baserunning mistake by Neleigh probably cost the Shocks a run.

Houston as to be thrilled to get out of that inning with only 2 Shocker runs scoring.

Caitlyn gets 2 infield pop ups and fly ball to right center that Lauren made a nice catch on. Good start for Caitlyn but would prefer to see more ground balls from her.

The Shocks down quickly in the 2nd. Sydney did get a 2-out single to left but was then caught stealing.

Caitlyn gives up a sharp single to right to open the bottom of the 2nd then gets an easy fly ball to center and 2 strike outs. So far her change up is her best pitch and she is using it liberally.

In the 3rd an infield single by Addison, a single to center by Lauren and a line drive single by Zoe that just did get past the shortstop loads the bases. Neleigh nubs one off the end of the bat and is tagged out by the 1st baseman but Addison scores and Lauren and Zoe move up a base. Jessica walks to reload the bases and Krystin is back up in the same situation as the 1st inning. Krystin hits a one hooper back to the pitcher who gets the force at home. Lainee grounds out out to short to end the inning. So the Shocks have misfired on 2 great scoring opportunities in 2 out of the 1dt 3 innings. Hope they don't come to regret that.

A leadoff double to left center and an infield single form the #8 and #9 hitters puts Houston in business. A sharp single to right field plates a run for Houston and and give them runners at 1st and 2nd with no outs. A sacrifice bunt attempt is popped up to Lainee. A strike out and a force at 2nd on a grounder up the middle fielded by Zoe who stepped on the bag to force the runner from 1st ends the inning. After 3 complete the Shocks lead 3-1.

The Shocks get a 1 out single from Sydney but nothing else in the top of the 4th. Houston gets a lead off drive to left center that hit about 2 feet below the top of the wall but Wylie played the carom perfectly to hold it to a long single. After a fly ball to left center caught by Lauren and a strike out followed. However, a line drive to center just cleared the fence (perhaps ticking of Lauren's glove as she lost her glove over the fence) and Houston has tied it at 3-all. After walking the next batter Caitlyn gets a ground ball to Sydney to end the inning.

At this point Houston seems to be measuring Caitlyn pretty well and the Houston pitcher has settled in after avoiding escaping bases loaded, 1-out jams in the 1st and the 3rd. She's been pretty effective with her rise ball in the last couple of innings.

A hit batter and walk with 2 outs put runners at 1st and 2nd in the top of the 5th but Lainee strikes out on 3 pitches. A little surprised HCKB is staying with Caitlyn the way Houston has started hitting her but she is out for the bottom of the 5th. Caitlyn responds well with a 1-2-3 inning although the 2nd batter did hit a sharp line drive that Krystin handled at 3rd.

Wylie leads off the Shocker 6th with a seeing eye ground single to right. Sydney popped out to short. Addison hit a 1st pitch change up well over the left field fence but just foul and then strikes out for the 2nd consecutive at bat. Lauren singles to left moving Wylie to 2nd. Zoe gets the count in her favor and then dinks a check swing ground right out to the pitcher to end the Shocker at bat.

Houston gets a runner to 2nd with 2 outs in the bottom of the 6th but Caitlyn throws a terrific changeup on a full count for s strike out to end the Houston at bat.

Neleigh leads of the top of the 7th with a line to right center that makes to the wall and just beats the throw to 2nd for a double. Jessica whiffed on sac bunt attempt but the ball deflected off the catchers mitt and Neleigh went to 3rd. On an 0-2 count Jessica hit a line drive to left that just barely cleared the left fielder scoring Neleigh with the go ahead run. Jessica was held to a single. Lolo pinch hits for Krystin and draws a walk. Krystin re-enters to run. Shocks with another great scoring opportunity with runners at 1st and 2nd and no outs. Lainee lays down a successful sac bunt to move the runners to 2nd and 3rd. Cassie pinch hitting for Wylie in the 9 hole. In a mirror image of her last pinch hit at bat Cassie hits a fly ball to left caught in foul territory scoring Madyson who was pinch running for Jessica. Sydney follows with a blast over the double fence in center to extend the Shocker lead to 7-3. Addison who seems to be grinding pops out out to 1st. But a big inning for the Shocks.

Caitlyn commits a cardinal sin after your team hands you a nice lead by walking the lead off batter in the 7th. Erin McDonald comes on to try to close it out. Strike out. The runner on 1st steals second. Another walk. Earth to Shocker senior pitchers. After you team hands you a 4 run lead you don't start walking people. Another strike out on a rise ball pretty much above the batters head. A popup to 3rd ends the inning.

Shocks 7-14-0
Houston 3-7-0

Shockers left 10 runners on base. Houston left 7 stranded.

Sydney with 4 hits including 2 home runs to begin and end the Shocker scoring.

Caitlyn with a pretty decent outing. The game probably should not have been as tight as it was but the end result was good one for the Shocks.

[flyingMoose]

Saturday Game

Same song, third verse. I may make it back for the chorus on this one, but never sure.

[1972Shocker]

Saturday Game

Same song, third verse. I may make it back for the chorus on this one, but never sure.

Erin McDonald in the circle for the Shocks. Otherwise, the same lineup as Game 2.

Shocks get a 2-out double from Lauren but nothing else in the top of the 1st.

A bloop single to shallow left, sac bunt, wild pitch and a solid single to left plates a run for Houston as the Cougars take an early 1-0 lead.

In the Shocker 2nd Neleigh took 2 strikes, fouled the next 2 pitches off then struck out swinging, Jessica worked the count full before line a sharp single up the middle.. Krystin struck out in a non-competitive at bat. Lainee then took a ball up in the zone on the outer half over the right field wall for an apposite filed 2-run home. Lainee has some nice things at the plate in this series.

Erin gives us a lead off line drive double to the wall in right center and HCKB has seen enough. Bringing in Allison with hopes she can continue her solid pitching of late. Alison's first pitch is a wild one with the Houston runner taking 3rd. She walked that batter on a full count. after falling behind in the count 3-0. The next batter grounded up the middle with Zoe making a diving attempt and kept the ball from going to the outfield but could not make a play. The next batter he a routine grounder to 3rd but Krystin could not field it cleanly and then pick it up and threw high and offline to 2nd and Zoe could only get the tip of her glove on the ball as it rolled into right field. The runner on 2nd scored and the runner on 1st went to 3rd. Alison works out of the 1st and 3rd no out jam with 2 strike outs and a fly ball out to right field. Houston leads 3-2 after 2.

After Sydney grounded out to 2nd Addison took a pitch at the knees on a line over the double wall in left center. After getting Lauren on a lazy fly ball to left Houston walked Zoe and Neliegh and Houston makes a pitching change. Junior Megan Lee comes on in relief. Jessica grounds into a unassisted force out at 3rd.

Alison walks the lead off batter in the bottom of the 3rd. Alison does throw a lot of balls outside the zone and goes to a lot of deep counts and as a result is subject to walking a few more than is desirable. One out later an opposite filed home run that scraped the paint off the back of the wall in left center makes that walk hurt. Following a ground out to 3rd Alison gives up a line drive of Wylie's head in left and missing a home run by about a foot. It was hit so hard and Wylie played the carom so well that Wylie was able to hold it to a single. But HCKB apparently not liking what she is seeing and replaces Alison with Caitlyn. A fly out to Wylie in left center ends the 3rd with Houston leading 5-3.

Krystin walks to lead of the 4th for the Shocks. Moves to 2nd on a wild pitch and then to 3rd on a slow roller by Lainee to short with Lainee thrown out at 1st. Wylie grounds out to 2nd but Krystin scores as the bottom of the order produces a small ball run. Good base running by Krystin. Sydney lines out to short to end the at bat.

In the bottom half of the 4th Caitlyn gets 2 ground ball outs before walking a batter. Caitlyn gets ahead of the next batter, then goes to a 3-2 count.before inducing a shallow fly ball to right to end the 4th with Houston leading 5-4. Caitlyn finally keeps Houston off the scoreboard for the first time in 4 innings.

Houston brings in Freshman Hannah Blincoe to pitch to start the 5th inning. Addison takes a pitch at the letters over the left center wall to tie it up at 5-all. Lauren then drives a waist high pitch right down the middle over the back wall in straight away center. Zoe than drives on over the left field wall. Probably the hardest hit of the 3 home runs. Blincoe is done. Yesterday's starter Hannah Todd comes in to pitch. Neliegh hits the ball hard but grounds out to short. Jessica is hit by a pitch and Krystin gaps one to left center for double putting runners at 2nd and 3rd with one out. Lainee hits a one-hooper to 3rd and Jessica gets caught in no mans's land and is out at the plate. Glover strikes out as the Shock miss a great opportunity to extend the lead.

Caitlyn gets an nubber of the end of the back rolled softly back to her for the 1st out. A sinking line drive to right caught by Addison at her knees. A fly ball to center ends a quick 1-2-3 at bat for Houston and they are down in order for the 1st time today. After 5 innings the Shocks lead 7-5.

Sybney leads off the 6th with a texas leaguer to left but the Shocks are unable to get her around. Zoe probably just missed a home run but got just a little under a pitch and flied out to the edge of the waring track in left.

Caitlyn gives up a one out single in the bottom of the 6th. With 2 outs and the runner still on 1st Caitlin uncorks a horrible wild pitch the ricochet hard towards the 3rd base dugout. The Houston runner tried to move all the way from 1st to 3rd but was tagged out sliding into 3rd to end the inning.

Shocks down in order in the 7th although all 3 batters hit the ball on the nose.with Neleigh just missing a home run to center leading off the inning.

Caitlyn gets a an out on a nice play by Sycney on a slow hit ball to short. Caitlyn then leaves a ball up and gives up a home rune off the batters eye just left of center to cut the Shocker lead to 1. A pop up to Zoe right on top of 2nd base for out #2. After falling behind in the count at 2-0 Caitlyn gets an easy comebacker and throws to 1st for the final out. Shockers hang on for the 7-6 win.

Shockers 7-9-1
Cougars 6-8-0

Difference in the game was the 5 home runs by the Shockers to 2 home runs for Houston. Pretty decent relief job by Caitlyn as well. 4.1 innings allowing only 1 run on 2 hits.

Shocks did what they needed to do and that was get the sweep. They may very well have to win out in AAC play to win the AAC regular season.

[shoxlax]

Nice to beat someone’s ass in something in this conference. Rarity these days.