Shocker SB at Southern Illinois

[flyingMoose]

Nothing going in the fourth. Eight Shockers in a row have been retired.

Still 3-0.

[flyingMoose]

Make it eleven Shocks set down. The Salukis tally three more on an infield error and back-to-back home runs to lead off the fifth. Jenni then enters the game in relief of Ashlynne. She retires the side, but SIU now leads 6-0 after five complete.

[flyingMoose]

The Shockers get on the scoreboard in the sixth. A walk to Cacy and singles by Kelli, Brittany and Mackenzie score a run with one out. After runner interference, Melanie deliver two runs with a bases-loaded single with McKenzie thrown out at third to end the inning while trying to advance from first.

The Salukis get a runner on an error but do not score. They lead 6-3 after six.

[flyingMoose]

With two outs in the Shocker seventh, Cacy is hit by a pitch and Kelli walks. After a wild pitch, Brittany scores a run with a single. Liz then doubles home Kelli to bring the score to 6-5 and put runners at second and third. Mackenzie follows with a game-tying single. Each of the last three hits have been delivered with two strikes. Erin ends the Shocker half of the seventh with a fly out in a pinch-hit role.

The score is tied at 6 as we go to the bottom of the seventh.

And then the Salukis hit a lead-off home run by the same player who hit the game-winning homer in the first game.

Shockers 6-7 Southern Illinois

[1972Shocker]

Well my concerns about this Shocker team are being realized. I kind of wondered whether or not the Shocks Valley Championship last year was a little bit of an anomaly. You just don't win consistently in fast pitch softball without some consistent quality pitching. Something the Shocks have not had a great deal of luck building under HCKB. The offense as generally been plenty good enough, but it is just so difficult to rely on your offense to carry your team.

At this point HCKB needs to figure out how to right the ship and hopefully start winning some conference games to maximize their seed for the Valley Tournament but a repeat championship would appear to be off the table.

[flyingMoose]

Other Series

Missouri State 2-1 Bradley

Evansville 0-3 Drake

Northern Iowa 2-0 Loyola (Sunday's game cancelled)

Illinois State 2-1 Indiana State


Conference Standings

6-0 Southern Illinois
5-1 Drake
4-2 Illinois State
3-2 Northern Iowa
3-3 Missouri State
3-3 Indiana State
2-3 Loyola
1-5 Shockers
1-5 Evansville
1-5 Bradley

To qualify for the conference tournament, a team has to finish in the top eight. Seeds 5-8 have no bye, seeds 3 and 4 get a single bye, seeds 1 and 2 get a double bye.

[flyingMoose]

The Shocks host Drake next weekend after traveling to Tulsa on Tuesday for a single game.

[flyingMoose]

Merri Anne Patterson of the Salukis is the conference's Player of the Week. We helped.

[Quick Pitch]

Other Series

Missouri State 2-1 Bradley

Evansville 0-3 Drake

Northern Iowa 2-0 Loyola (Sunday's game cancelled)

Illinois State 2-1 Indiana State


Conference Standings

6-0 Southern Illinois
5-1 Drake
4-2 Illinois State
3-2 Northern Iowa
3-3 Missouri State
3-3 Indiana State
2-3 Loyola
1-5 Shockers
1-5 Evansville
1-5 Bradley

To qualify for the conference tournament, a team has to finish in the top eight. Seeds 5-8 have no bye, seeds 3 and 4 get a single bye, seeds 1 and 2 get a double bye.

Don't we host the conference tournament this year? If so, do we get to play in it regardless of where we finish in the standings?

[flyingMoose]

Don't we host the conference tournament this year? If so, do we get to play in it regardless of where we finish in the standings?

Aah! Excellent point! We do host the conference tournament, and I believe the host team is guaranteed a spot.