Shocker SB at Northern Iowa

[flyingMoose]

The Shockers travel to Cedar Falls this weekend for a conference series with Northern Iowa.

The Shocks currently stand at 6-5 in the Valley with the Panthers, a preseason pick for third in the conference with three votes for first place, at 4-6 in conference and 14-20 overall. In the Valley, UNI split with Missouri State, took two from Southern Illinois (with the third game being cancelled in both of those series), lost three to Creighton and took one of three from Evansville. Among common opponents, they have two wins over Wright State and a win against Grambling State with losses to Alabama and Oklahoma State.

The Northern Iowa offense is led by Nicole Fisher (OPS of 1.103 and 6 HRs). The team OPS is .668. In the circle Jamie Fisher, the twin sister of Nicole, gets about two-thirds of their starts. She has an ERA of 2.29, a WHIP of 1.27 and 116 Ks in 143+ innings. Last year, she was First Team All-Conference and MVC Pitcher of the Year.

Against a team picked near the top of the Valley but apparently struggling a bit (see Southern Illinois), this weekend is another good opportunity for the Shockers.

[1972Shocker]

Shocks drop both games of today's DH against UNI.

Game 1

Katie continues her tough luck pitching losing a 3-2 battle with UNI's Jamie Fisher in Game 1. Katie is now 4-14 on the season but has probably pitched better than that record would indicate.

UNI took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 3rd on a single and a double.

Ali Vandever homer to left center in the top of the 6th for the Shocks to forge a 1-1 tie.

The Shocks commited 2 errors in the 6th and UNI scored 2 unearned runs on 2 singles and no walks to take a 3-1 lead.

The Shocks scored an unearned run in the 7th to make the final score 3-2.

Shocks just seem to find ways to lose when Katie is pitching.

Game 2

The Shocks dropped Game 2 by a 7-1 score and were really never in the game. Jamie Fisher pitched her 2nd complete game of the day for UNI.

Sloan gave up a walk, 2 singles and a hit batter to open the bottom of the 1st inning as UNI took a 1-0 lead. However, a pop to SS, liner to 3B and pop foul to 1B stranded the bases loaded with no further damage.

It didn't take UNI long to get right back at it. In the 2nd a single, passed ball and sac bunt put a runner on 3rd with 1-out. That was followed by a double, a double and a single to produce 3 runs. Sloan did get the 2nd out on a foul fly to RF, but an error on Shocker LF Brittany Fortner extended the inning and allowed the 4th run of the inning to score. UNI followed with a 2-run homer to finally get Sloan out of the jam.

At that point Katie came on in relief but the damage was done as UNI lead 7-0 which was pretty much game-over with Fisher in the circle for UNI. Katie pitched shut-out ball over the final 4.2 innings. The Shocks avoided the shut-out on back to back doubles by Brianne Bond and Brittany Fortner to lead off the 4th inning.

Sloan is now 11-7 on the year but she seems to be struggling some lately.

Katie gave up only 1 earned run over her 10.1 innings of work today. She was 0-1 on the day. Jamie Fisher gave up only 2 earned runs over 14 innings, but she is smiling tonight with 2 more wins on the left side of her ledger.

[1972Shocker]

Game 3 cancelled due to rain.