Shocker SB at Missouri State

[1972Shocker]

Hard to believe this team wouldn't be totally fired up considered the opportunity they have given themselves but I thought they kind of sleep-walked through Game 1. Pretty much a total team loss. I was a little concerned that over-confidence might creep in after the beat-down they put on the Bears last week and apparently that was the case.

Hopefully, they will come out with some fire in their eyes for Game 2. Go Shocks!

[WuDrWu]

Evansville, losers of 7 straight and 11 of 12, walked the tying runs on in the top of the 7th against SIU leading 4-2 but managed to get out of the jam and take some of the sting out of the Shocker loss.

4-2 Aces over Salukis.

[flyingMoose]

Evansville, losers of 7 straight and 11 of 12, walked the tying runs on in the top of the 7th against SIU leading 4-2 but managed to get out of the jam and take some of the sting out of the Shocker loss.

4-2 Aces over Salukis.

And Loyola defeated Indiana State, 4-3.

[flyingMoose]

I don't know the Bear staff and the way they pitch, but we seem to be seeing a lot of junk today.

[1972Shocker]

Nice defensive plays in the 4th by Ali and Liz.

[flyingMoose]

No score after five. We needed this Sloan in the first game.

[1972Shocker]

Big 2-out, 2 RBI single by Paige Luellen. No wonder the little gal is leading the Valley in RBI's. Brittany Fortner just barely beat the throw home to score the 2nd run but barely was good enough.

[flyingMoose]

Shocks still lead going to the bottom of the seventh, 2-0. It would not hurt my feelings to have a one-two-three inning.

[1972Shocker]

Can Sloan get the last out this game that she couldn't find in Game 1?

I guess Sloan just doesn't have an out pitch when she needs it. Should we bring Katie in to try to finish this off?

HCKB going to let her finish.

[1972Shocker]

Wow. That was close. Shocks needed that one. Sloan had just enough to get it done.

Should have been a sweep but considering how the 1st game ended getting the split was big.

Shocks still control their own destiny but will need to play better than today over the next two weekends.

[1972Shocker]

Illinois State is at Missouri State this weekend. Hopefully, the Bears play them as tough as they played the Shocks today.

[flyingMoose]

It was nice to see PaigeL, who has tailed off some from earlier in the season (but still hitting .302 in conference starting the day), get the game-winning hit.

[WuDrWu]

Taking into account everyone's schedule, the Shocks are locked into the top 4 no matter how the other games fall.

Only the most bizarre scenario drops them to 4, top 3 is all but assured.

Any 2 wins by WSU will clinch the #2 seed. 4 wins clinches the title. All that assumes all the nearest competitors run the table. It would be possible to clinch the title at home Sunday with a sweep of SIU and an improbable MSU sweep of Illinois State. WSU would be 20-4 and ISU would be 13-8 and unable to catch the Shocks even with a final series sweep.

Go Shox!

[1972Shocker]

Just a reminder that this weekends games with SIU will be the last chance to see the Lady Shocks this weekend. I would say they have earned and deserve a couple of good crowds this weekend. I am going to do my best to get out to at least one game, if not all three.

They play a DH on Saturday beginning at Noon and a single game on Sunday beginning at Noon.

Saturday is supposed to be very warm with a high of 89 and breezy south winds but with the potential for severe thunderstorms (not sure but my guess is that would be late afternoon or evening). Sunday's high is 79 with brisk winds out of the south. Not sure about the potential for thunderstorms but with the wind blowing 20-25 out of the south the potential for a home run derby sure exists.

[flyingMoose]

... SIU will be the last chance to see the Lady Shocks this weekend ... a single game on Sunday beginning at Noon.

I assume Sunday will be Senior Day - Sloan, Ali and Molly. And Erin? Or will she be back for another year after her knee injury?

I can't make it Sunday, but I plan to see the DH on Saturday.