Shocker SB v Nebraska-Omaha

[flyingMoose]

The Shockers swing through Omaha this week (UNO at 5pm on Tuesday and Creighton at 4pm on Wednesday) on their way to Terre Haute and next weekend's games against Indiana State. Tuesday's game will be the home opener for UNO.

The Mavericks of UNO are members of the Summit League where they were picked second in the pre-season poll. Western Illinois were picked fourth in the same poll. Their record is 16-9, including wins over Loyola (but not Gardner), Western Illinois and two wins over UTSA among common opponents. They also have a loss against Illinois State.

The pitching staff is led by Dana Elsasser who has twice been named Pitcher of the Week this year. She has pitched about sixty percent of their innings, having an ERA of 1.56 and a WHIP of 1.00! She has thirteen of their sixteen wins with three other pitchers having one win each. The offense is led by Amber Lutmer who has a BA of .384, an OPS of 1.360 and eleven home runs. Other big bats are Allie Mathewson (.382, 1.170 and seven homers) and Campbell Ditto (.329, 1.085 and six homers).

The Shocker hitting continues to be led by PaigeL (.387 and 1.172) and Cacy (.373 and 1.177).

[Hovpen]

Might add that Campbell Ditto is from Kansas and played on the KC Peppers Gold team along with Jenni Brooks. Was named Summit League Freshman of the year....

[flyingMoose]

UNO Game Notes - more game notes than you could possibly want to read - and then their Web site article.

[flyingMoose]

Shockers 4-5(8) Nebraska-Omaha

Katie started for the Shocks and Elsasser, the Maverick's ace, was their starter.

Melanie had a one-out double in the first, but the Shocks could not score her. UNO managed to load the bases on a walk, single and walk, but Katie recorded a strike out to end the inning.

The Mavericks jumped to a 4-0 lead in the second, the big blow being a three-run homer. All runs were unearned due to an error on a sac bunt. Sloan relieved Katie to get the last two outs of the inning.

The first two Shockers reached in the fourth on an error and single, but the threat died with the next three batters. But in the fifth, the Shocks got back in the game when Melanie's two-out double was followed by a homer by Liz. 4-2 UNO after five.

In the bottom of the sixth Melanie picked a runner off third, I believe her third of the year.

In the seventh, a walk, passed ball, error and stolen base put Shockers at second and third with no outs. Liz then brought Ashley home with a single, and PaigeL scored Melanie with a ground out to tie the game. In the bottom half of the inning, a single and outfield error got a Maverick to second with one out, but Sloan retired the next two batters. On to extras with the score tied at 4.

In the UNO eighth, a single, double and walk loaded the bases with one out. Then Lutmer, their leading hitter, delivered a game-winning single.

Sloan pitched well in relief (6 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 4K), but Katie had dug a big hole with her start (1.1 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 R), and our rally was not enough. Melanie had two doubles and Liz had a single and homer and three RBI.

The Shockers play Creighton tomorrow at 4pm.