Shocker SB v Loyola

[1972Shocker]

In the 7th Jenni hit the lead off batter and was replaced by Kaitlyn who promptly surrendered a 2-run homer.

Shock now lead 8-7 as Loyola continues to bat in the 7th with now outs.

Kaitlyn gets 2 outs on a fly to LF and a strikeout but then gives up a double on an 0-2 pitch to put the tying run in scoring position. After walking the next batter (perhaps semi-intentionally with 1B open) Kaitlyn gets a fly ball to RF to end the game as the Shocks pick up a badly needed win to split today's DH.

[1972Shocker]

Sloan only pitched 2 innings in today's games. Hopefully, she is not hurt. I assume Brittany Gardner, winner of today's 1st game, will go for the Ramblers tomorrow. I would think Sloan would go for the Shockers if healthy, but you have to wonder about that with only 2 inning so work today.

[flyingMoose]

Just left the field. Scheduled start time is now 730pm.

And it finally started close to 840pm.

Layne's triple was the big hit, but she also benefitted from the scorekeeping. She lofted a line drive (not a smash) down the left field line and the left fielder tried to knock down an in-between hop as she was moving toward the line. It got by her (triple? single and two-base error?), and three runs scored.

Jenni was very effective after the delay (four innings, one run, two hits), and she threw the change a lot! She had only pitched 10.2 inning before adding on the five innings of this outing. With Katie (this time I know I heard her being called that) finishing the game, we have the rare instance of the starting pitcher getting the save.

Only four of our eight runs were earned.

PaigeM started as the DP in the first game, but Molly Baker subbed for her. Then Molly was the DP in the second game. Did PaigeM get hurt in the first game? I saw someone in a walking boot during the second game, but I am not sure if it was PaigeM.

[SHOXAAC]

Just speculation, but player in walking boot could be Ashley Johnson who scored our first run. When sliding into home she jammed her foot against the catcher's foot and came up limping pretty bad. Great comeback by WSU after being down 4-1 early, prior to the weather delay. I hope they can get tomorrow's game in. Weather could be an issue. Good luck to the lady Shockers.

[flyingMoose]

Just speculation, but player in walking boot could be Ashley Johnson who scored our first run. When sliding into home she jammed her foot against the catcher's foot and came up limping pretty bad. Great comeback by WSU after being down 4-1 early, prior to the weather delay. I hope they can get tomorrow's game in. Weather could be an issue. Good luck to the lady Shockers.

This girl is a brunette and not as tall as Ashley.

[SHOXAAC]

This girl is a brunette and not as tall as Ashley.

Speaking of Ashley, did you see her dogged determination and toughness in the first game as she attempted to track down Loyola's first HR. As she was about to bring the long fly ball in, she backed into the top of the wall, hitting her head pretty hard. The ball left the yard and Ashley slumped to the ground. She was down for a couple of minutes, but eventually returned to her CF duties. She again was shaken up as she aggressively slid into Loyola's catcher in game 2 to score the Shockers first run. What a tough young lady.

[1972Shocker]

Today's game delayed until 1:30 due to cold temps.

Jenni Brooks starting in the circle for the Shocks. Sloan must be either injured or ill as she only pitched 2.0 inning yesterday.

Jenni loaded the bases in the top of the 1st but escaped unscathed.

As anticipated yesterday's Game 1 winner, Brittany Gardner, is in the circle for Loyola.

[1972Shocker]

Both team scratch out a run in the 2nd. The Shocks left the bases loaded as they played pretty much played station-to-station ball as they could only muster the 1 run on two walks and two singles.

[1972Shocker]

Loyola parlays a lead-off double into a run in the top of the 4th. Sloan apparently is OK as she comes in to relieve Jenni with runners at 1st and 3rd with 1 out.

Sloan got a big strike out but then gave up an RPI single, followed by a walk and a hit batter to produce 2 additional runs for Loyola.

Loyola leads 4-1 heading into the bottom of the 4th but the Shocks are making some noise in their half of the inning.

The Shock did score 1 but had runners on 1st and 2nd with only 1 out when PaigeL grounded into an inning ending double play.

Loyola 4 - Shocks 2 after 4 complete.

[1972Shocker]

Shocks pick up 3 two-out runs in the 5th as they followed up a lead-off single by Brittany with a 2-out double by Ali, a walk to Kelli, a single by Cacy, and a single by Ashley. A walk to Liz loaded the bases but PaigeL struck out to end the inning.

Shockers 5 - Loyola 4 after 5.

[1972Shocker]

After a lead-off walk to Brittany in the 6th the Shocks managed to scratch out a run without the benefit of hit to take a 6-4 lead into the 7th.

This would prove to be a big run as Sloan gave up a lead-off home run in the 7th. Katie relieved Sloan at that point and retired the next 3 hitters in order to earn the save.

Final Score: Shocks 6 - Loyola 5

Nice job, Ladies. Not real pretty but the Ladies really competed this weekend to take the series 2-1 and get their conference season off to a good start.

[flyingMoose]

The Shocks beat Gardner, the winning pitcher in the first game of the series. In the last two games of the series, we hit just well enough to overcome our pitching.

Jenni started this game, of course, but with her change being her primary tool making her effective, she may struggle when a team sees her twice in the same weekend. The stats say four earned runs, but looking at the play-by-play in the second inning, I think she gave up only three earned runs.

The home run Sloan gave up in the seventh marks the 100th homer given up in her career. I am afraid she may have that record for a long time. And haven't at least half of them been given up in the seventh inning? :(

Both Ashley and PaigeM were in the lineup today, so I have no guess on the walking boot.

[1972Shocker]

Jenni may even have some difficulty the 2nd and 3rd time through the lineup especially if teams start sitting on the change up. Interesting that they brought Katie in to relieve Sloan after she gave up the solo home run in the 7th. Indicates to me that the Coaching staff doesn't trust her to keep the ball in the park and based in her history (see the @flyingMoose: post above) I suppose that's understandable.

[Hovpen]

No 8 preseason team takes the series from I believe No. 6 preseason team. Moving on up.

[flyingMoose]

Cacy is the MVC Player of the Week, and Ashley is the MVC Newcomer of the Week.

http://mvc-sports.com/softball/news/2013-14/7240/softball-weekly-release-march-17/

http://www.goshockers.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=7500&KEY=&SPID=2845&SPS ID=61321