Shocker SB at Lady Techster Invitational (Louisiana Tech)

[1972Shocker]

I'm still trying to figure out how that one was canceled when all the others are being played. And of course, trying to find game tracker for todays game which I haven't been able to do yet.

Gametracker: http://www.latechsports.com/gametrac...m=&startschool=&

Heading into the bottom of the 7th. Shocks lead 8-7 in what, one way or the other, will be a wild finish.

[1972Shocker]

Sloan pitches a scoreless 7th and the Shocks earn a big comeback win to go 2-0 to start the season.

I will let @flyingMoose report the details but the Shocks lead 4-3 into the bottom of the 6th with Sloan having pitched a scoreless 4th and 5th innings in relief of Jenni Brooks. Three singles and a home run later UT-Martin had the lead 7-4 heading into the 7th.
Impressively, the Shocks did not hang their heads but answered with a 4-spot of their own to retake the lead at 8-7 allowing Sloan the opportunity to close out the game and earn her and the team's 2nd win.

[flyingMoose]

Shockers 8-7 UT-Martin

The Shocks parlayed two errors, an RBI single by Liz Broyles and a three-run homer by Cacy Williams in the first for an early 4-0 lead.

Jenni Brooks, a freshman from Olathe East, got the start for the Shockers. She escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first, but gave up two runs in the second and another in the third. After seven hits, a walk and three earned runs, Sloan came on to relieve Jenni to start the fourth.

In the bottom of the sixth, three singles scored one run to tie the game. Then Sloan gave up a three-run homer to give the Skyhawks the lead.

Brittany Fortner led off the seventh for the Shocks with a homer. A bunt single by Kelli Spring (another freshman) and a walk to Liz Broyles followed. After a strikeout and a groundout, Paige Luellen delivered a double to tie the game. After another walk, Melanie Jaegers singled to drive in a run and allow the Shockers to retake the lead. Another walk loaded the bases, but no further damage was inflicted.

Sloan came back out for the bottom of the seventh, gave up a single, but no runs.

Not much can be said for the pitching in this game, but the offense certainly impressed. We had runners in every inning with ten hits and five walks.

The game with host Louisiana Tech immediately follows this game.

[1972Shocker]

Not much can be said for the pitching in this game, but the offense certainly impressed. We had runners in every inning with ten hits and five walks.

The game with host Louisiana Tech immediately follows this game.

Gametracker link available here.

We will definitely have to pitch and play better defense against LA Tech. Won't win a lot of games where you give up 14 hits and commit 3 errors.

[1972Shocker]

Paige Luellen with her 2nd consecutive 2-out, 2-run double to stake the Shocks to a 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st.

Kaitlyn Malone in the circle in her Shocker debut.

[1972Shocker]

Kaitlyn with a nice job working out of a jam in the 2nd. After hitting the lead off hitter, she gave up a single to put runners at 1st and 3rd. However, a strike out, a 5-3 groundout and a strike out extricated her with no runs scoring.

[WuDrWu]

Paige ignites a 3 run 3rd by going big fly with 2 out and a full count. 5-0 Shocks.

[1972Shocker]

Paige Luellen with her 3rd consecutive 2-out RBI hit. However, instead of a 2-run double this time she delivers a 3-run homer in the top of the 3rd on a 3-2 count with 2 outs. Shocks extend their lead to 5-0.

BTW, Paige is a real monster. She is a 5'2" freshman utility player from Tulsa. Playing big today.

[1972Shocker]

Lady Techsters get to Kaitlyn for 4 runs in he botton of the 4th. Sloan is on in relief to get the final out of the 4th inning.

Shocks 5 - Lady Techsters 4 after 4 innings.

[JayShocks]

I am impressed with our clutch hitting. I am concerned with our pitching due to the fact that Sloan has had to pitch in every game so far. I hope that somebody else can step up so that she doesn't wear down before we even start conference play.

[JayShocks]

:mad:

[JayShocks]

Just as I feared, Sloan ran out of gas and gave up 3 in the bottom of the 8th. :mad:
Brooks came in and got the next 2 outs and we hold on for the win 10-9.

[flyingMoose]

Hmm. I get back from the birthday party and GT has enough gaps in it I am not sure what happened - except that we won. The box score will have a play-by-play associated with it when it is finally posted.

[flyingMoose]

(For completeness :) )

Shockers 10-9(8) LA Tech

The Shocks again strike in the first inning with a two-run double by Paige Luellen. She followed that up with three-run homer in the third.

Kaitlyn Malone, a freshman from Crete, NE, got the start. She got through the first three innings, although with a threat in the second, but the fourth inning was another matter. She gave up a two-run triple, a sac fly and another run scored on an infield single before Sloan came on to get the last out of the inning.

The Shockers got one run (unearned, their fourth of the day) back in the fifth on a bases-loaded walk to Brianne Bond. The took their 6-4 lead to the bottom of the seventh, but Sloan gave up a two-out, two-run homer to tie the game.

Using the ITB in the eighth, the Shocks started off with a two-run homer by Paige Mason. After a single, Megan McCracken struck a pinch-hit two-run homer. The Shocks needed all of those runs. The Techsters fell in line with a two-run homer of their own. After Sloan gave up a triple, Jenni Brooks came on in relief. After wild-pitching in the third run of the innning, she got two ground outs to end the game.

We can hit it seems, but can we pitch?

The Shockers close out their weekend with a game against Saint Louis at 9am Sunday.

[pogo]

That looks like this team has a lot of spunk. Not to give up and keep battling to the end. I have no clue about pitching in SB at the collegiate level but I know from watching my daughter play that pitching is the name of the game. How does wear and tear work at the upper levels of play? Does a team need 2-3 pitchers on their roster or can one pitcher dominate?