Shocker SB v Northern Iowa

[flyingMoose]

The Shockers (7-23, 0-6) continue their conference schedule this weekend against Northern Iowa (21-9, 6-0). As @1972Shocker: has noted, our conference schedule is front-end loaded. With the Panthers being number two in the preseason conference picks, we will have now played the top three picks. Northern Iowa began the conference schedule with Evansville and Indiana State, the bottom two preseason picks.

UNI has not played any "names" in their non-conference schedule but did defeat Missouri State at the Memphis tournament. Their SLOB is .831 with an opponents mark of .565. There are five players hitting over .300, and the staff ERA 2.53. The Panthers have two returning all-conference players with a third joining them as a preseason all-conference selection.

The Shockers seemed to compete well last weekend, but just could not get past Jordan Birch of Illinois State, who garnered Pitcher of the Week honors. We shall see if progress is being made this weekend.

[shoxlax]

Do we have any pitching coming in next year?

[1972Shocker]

I might point at the UNI's Jamie Fisher was one of the two preseason All-Conference pitchers selected. The other being Natalie Rose of MSU. Jordan Birch, who totally shut us down last weekend, was not selected as a preseason All-Conference pticher.

Jamie Fisher is 10-1 with a 1.40 ERA. Jordan Birch is 11-8 with a 2.02 ERA. However, as you point out Illinois State has probably played a much tougher schedule than the Shocks. Still, this will be another challenging weekend for the Lady Shocks. It would be nice if they could steal one from UNI.

[Shock watch]

Cannot be at the live game. But I am hoping to see the shocks use a very aggressive strategy to win some games this weekend. In past games, we have not used our pitching staff as effectively as we could have. Reflecting back on the 5-3 loss last week, the shocks were ahead much of the game and later in the game by 3-2. In one inning, the starting pitcher gave up a home run to tie the game, then allowed a runner on base, then gave up a two run home run to give Illinois state a two run lead, which the shocks could not overcome. Lets win. Go shocks!!

[flyingMoose]

From the UNI site, these appear to be the Live Stats links for Game One and Game Two. I can no longer find the links on the Shocker's site, and my inquiring phone call of two weeks ago was not returned. :( If anyone knows where they are hidden, holler.

EDIT: Okay, I'll vent about something else. There are no Game Notes for this series. Perhaps I will see ADES at the games this afternoon and mention all of this to him.

[1972Shocker]

Katie Armagost started in the circle but left with not outs in the 2nd trailing 4-0.

However, the Shocker offense responded getting to UNI's Jamie Fisher for 6 runs on 9 hits in 4 innings to take a 6-4 lead.

Katherine Johnson took over for Katie and did a decent job until she loaded the bases with no outs in the 5th. Sloan releived Katie and after walking in a run she was able wriggle out of the jam with no furhter damage presering the lead for the Shocks at 6-5.

Unfortunately, the Shocks offense could not muster any offense against the UNI reliever, Jessica Severinsen and Sloan's nemisis, the home run, jumped up to do the Shocks in as Sloan gave up a 3-run homer in tehe 7th as the Shocks lost a heartbreaker 6-8.

The top 4 spots in the lineup accounted for all 9 of the Shocks hits. Sydney Stuever had 2 singles, Rachel had a single, double and triple, Erin Carney had a single and homer and Melanie Jaegers added 2 singles.

[1972Shocker]

Katie gets a chance for a reprieve in Game 2 and promptly gives up 2 runs on 2 hits, 2 walks, 2 wild pitches and a throwing by C Melanie Jaegers on a UNI steal attempt.

Shocks promptly respond as Sydney and Rachel reach on UNI infield erros and Erin makes them pay with a 3-run jack. Shocks lead 3-2 after 1.

[flyingMoose]

Sammie started Game One on crutches with her right(?) lower leg wrapped up.

Brianne Bond, the DP, and Sydney subbed for each other on defense in right field, depending on the base runner situation. Because of other commitments, I could only watch part of this game, but it appeared Brianne was in right when the Panthers had a runner at third, given that Sydney cannot make a throw from the outfield.

With Laura, Ozzie, Sammie and Sydney's arm unable to play, we have lost three and one-half starters from the start of the season. Kaitlyn Carey, Holly and Hilary were all in the starting lineup. I don't recall Layne coming out during pregame introductions, but I may have just missed her.

The UNI first inning could have been worse. With the bases loaded and one out, a single scored one run but the runner from second was out at the plate on a throw from Kaitlyn and then the double play was completed when the runner from first rounded second too far and was caught in a rundown. Kaitlyn tracked down several long flies in the gaps from her center field position.

Katherine was effective with a change-up. She probably needs to throw a lot of them.

Katie faced eight batters and seven of them reached base. As described above, two of her three outs came after a basehit.

We may get a lot of pitching by committee since consistency over the entire game is not part of our staff makeup right now.

[1972Shocker]

Shocks with another very tough loss as the rally for 2 runs in the bottom of the 5th to tie the game at 5 all but UNI agains scored a run in the top of the 7th to take a 6-5 win from the Shocks and sweep the doubleheader.

Sloan pitched 4 innings of 2 hit ball allowing only the 1 run in the 7th but was saddled with her 2nd loss of the day to fall to 3-16 on the year.

Katie really struggled today allowing 9 runs in only 4 innings of work in the two games.

These kind of losses no doubt hurt worse than getting blowing out althouhg we only have to walk across Perimeter Drive to frind out about that.

[flyingMoose]

Sloan ... [allowed] only the 1 run in the 7th ...

And the run scored on a foul fly that was caught for a sac fly. Maybe the ball was close to the line and might have been fair. Maybe the right fielder (Sydney, I think) was close enough to home that she thought she had a play at the plate. But otherwise, you have to let that ball drop foul.

These kind of losses no doubt hurt worse than getting blown out ...

Hmm. Perhaps. But at least we scored enough runs in both games to win them - we had a chance. Of course in two recent games (SLU and OSU), we have pitched well enough to win but could not score, but at least we had a chance in those, too. To be in a game with "peers" and not pitch well enough or hit well enough, to have no chance, to me would be very discouraging. BWDIK.

Live Stats for Game Three.

[Hovpen]

Give the staff time guys, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is not a train. Injuries are killing them atm and they are still very competitive with the top 3 preseason Valley teams. Although a win against each would have been nice.

[Shock watch]

As 1972shocker said very tough losses yesterday. I have hope for the freshman pitcher. Two impressive outings now. Until the 5th yesterday, I think she only used at the most 9 pitches to get through each inning. With more time on the mound. She will even get better. Total pitching time. Sloan 86 2/3 innings, Katie 74 2/3 innings, Katherine 20 innings

[flyingMoose]

Northern Iowa 4-2 Shockers

Sloan had this start, giving up a solo and a two-run homer in the second. The third Panther homer of the day led off the fifth, bringing in Katie to finish the game. The Shockers only managed five singles against Jamie Fisher, the first game starter yesterday. In the fifth, Brianne's hit drove in one run with a second run scoring on an error during the play.

Sloan only gave up four hits, but three of them went over the fence. She had five strikeouts, one walk and one HBP. Katie gave up three hits, one walk and one HBP in her three innings.

The Shockers host Tulsa on Wednesday with Creighton coming to town next weekend.

[1972Shocker]

Shocks were at least somewhat competitive this weekend against one of the Valley's top 3 teams. Hopefully, that bodes well for a few wins here and there now that we have gotten by the teams selected in the preseason as the Valley's top 3 teams.

Not sure if Sloan is a fly ball pitcher, but in any case too many of her fly balls are leaving the park. I think she has now given up 29 homers on the year. At times she is effective but she seems to be consistently hurt by the long ball. If she can figure how to keep the ball in the park more consistently perhaps she can pick up a few more wins along the way.

Tough year for the Ladies in many ways. Nothing much at all is going their way.

[SBFan]

Did anyone else, but me, see the amazing catch by the CF. Ran towards RF, layed out and caught the ball back handed!!! Yea we lost, but we are a break or two away from winning these games. Bottom of the line-up needs to string some hits to help us out.

As a casual watcher/fan, Sloan will get ahead in the count and throws one "down the gut" that ends up over the fence. This is not HS ball where you can throw past a hitter. UNI was waiting on that pitch and killed it. BTW, the Sloan rise ball was not fooling anyone.

Hang in there ladies, the worst part of the season is coming to an end.