Shocker SB at KU

[flyingMoose]

The Shockers play a mid-week DH in Lawrence tonight beginning at 5pm, hoping to snap a nine-game losing skid.

KU are 24-12 and 3-9 in the Big XII. They took one of three from Baylor this past weekend, lost all three to Oklahoma, won two of three with Oklahoma State and split a DH with Missouri State. They did not play anyone of note in their non-conference tournament schedule. They have a team SLOB of .745 with the opponents' mark being .671. The team ERA is 2.96. (These numbers, for some reason, do not include the last game with Baylor.)

Game notes from the KU site and the GT link for Game One.

[1972Shocker]

Didn't take long for Game 1 to be over.

Erin Carney got the Shocks off on the right foot with solo homer in the top of the 1st.

Katie started in the circle and after getting the leadoff batter she loaded the bases on a walk, bunt single and a catcher's interference call. A single drove in a run and Katie was able to get a force at home on a grounder to short for the 2nd out, then wild pitched the 2nd run of the inning home before getting a K to end the inning.

The wheels fell off in the 2nd as KU scored 7 runs on 9 hits and a Shocker error. Katie left with 2 outs in the second after giving up 5 hits and trailing 5-1 with runners on 2nd and 3rd. She was relieved by Katherine who did not fare much better giving up 4 more hits and 4 runs (included the 2 inherited runners).

Shocks trail 9-1 after 2.

Update: And that's where it ends in the 5th on the 8-run mercy rule. Shocks only managed a single by Rachel Milnark after Erin's 1st inning homer. Katherine did pitch a scoreless 3rd and 4th inning giving up only a single in the 3rd.

[1972Shocker]

In Game 2 Sloan pitched into the 3rd inning with a 1-0 lead. A walk followed by two singles plated the tying run for the Jayhawks and they took the lead on a Sac Fly. A fielder's choice and a single put runners at the corners with two outs when Sloan nemisis struck. The 3-run homer put KU up by 5-1. A walk to the next batter triggered a change of pitchers as Katherine came in and induced a 5-3 ground out to end the inning.

[1972Shocker]

Sydney Stuever responds with a 2-out, 2-run triple to get the Shocks back in the game at 5-3 heading to the bottom of the 4th.

Update: That's as close as the Shocks would get as KU wins 8-3 for the sweep.

[1972Shocker]

Needless to say the Shocks are struggling big time (losing 24 of their last 25). Hate to see them go through such a horrible stretch. Hopefully, they will get a few to go their way over the final 3 weeks of the season.

Hang in there Ladies.

[luvthoseshox]

I am sure this is frustrating for them. We seem to be able to get runs on the board. It's preventing them that seems to be causing us issues.

[WuDrWu]

24 of 25?!

Ouchers.

[1972Shocker]

I am sure this is frustrating for them. We seem to be able to get runs on the board. It's preventing them that seems to be causing us issues.

The offense needs some work. The team BA is only 0.226. OTOH, our pitchers are allowing opponents to hit 0.348. The Shocks have hit 18 home runs but our opponents have hit 54 (34 allowed by Sloan).

Still, there is no question that the pitching staff needs to show significant improvment or needs to be upgraded. Until that happens we will continue to struggle even if the offense improves.

[1972Shocker]

24 of 25?!

Ouchers.

No question, one big Owie! Yeah, we have had some injuries but not sure how much differnece it would have made had we not had those injuries.

Could have been worse I suppose. The Tulsa game was rained out.

At least the schedule eases up over the final 15 games of the season. We play 5 MVC series against the teams currently standing 4th - Drake, 6th - MSU, 7th - Bradley, 8th - Evansville and 9th - Indiana State. MSU has the best overall record at 17-17.

The Shocks should set a goal of doubling their current win total of 7 over this final stretch simply as a matter of pride.