Shocker SB at Missouri State

[flyingMoose]

The Shockers complete their travel-partner series with a single game at Missouri State on Wednesday starting at 5pm.

The Bears are 26-18 overall and 14-5 in the Valley, remaining in second place. After splitting with the Shocks last Wednesday, the Bears won two from with Illinois State with two shutouts in their weekend series. The Sunday game was lost to weather.

The Bears' offense is led by Rebecca McPherson (OPS of .985 and eight HR) and Chelsea Thomas (.934 and nine HR).

Chelsea Jones with an ERA of 2.22 and a WHIP of 1.29 and Erin Struemph (3.27 and 1.44) are the pitching staff for Missouri State.

The Shockers are 28-21 and in a sixth-place tie with Indiana State with a 10-10 Valley record. Brittany leads the offense with an OPS of 1.258 and nine HR. Others are Cacy (.968 and eight HR) and Mackenzie (.918).

Katie (ERA of 3.63 and a WHIP of 1.49), Jenni (3.63 and 1.70) and Kelsey (5.76 and 1.50) are getting the innings for the Shocks.

[1972Shocker]

Looks like MSU has the advantage in the circle, but the Shocks can counter with a pretty strong offensive attack.

It will be interested to see who starts in the circle for the Shocks. In last weeks DH, Jenni was pretty good in Game 2 going the distance while Katie gave up 6 runs in 5 inning in Game 1.

I think either one could start but since it is a single games it will be all arms on deck and ready to go. I would expect a fairly short leash by HCKB.

[flyingMoose]

Jenni has the start with Chelsea Jones in the circle for the Bears. Macklin is the DP and McKenzie is in right field with the rest of the lineup being the recent regulars.

[flyingMoose]

The Shockers put up a three-spot in the first, all runs scoring after two were out. Brittany was on first on a fielder's choice after Cacy's single. Then Mackenzie walked, Liz doubled home a run, Macklin singled home another and the third run scored on Melanie's infield single.

The Bears score two of their own in the bottom half. A walk, bunt single (it appears it was pushed past a charging Mackenzie), and two more singles, each scoring a run, accounted for the pair.

Shockers lead 3-2 after one inning.

[flyingMoose]

In the Missouri State second with one out, a single and home run give the Bears the lead and brings on Kelsey in relief. She gives up a double but the runner is thrown out trying to make a triple out of it. The next batter homers, and Missouri State takes a 5-3 lead to the third.

[flyingMoose]

In the third, the Shocks tied the game. An infield single by Mackenzie and an outfield single by Liz brought Erin Streumph on in relief for the Bears. An error by the left fielder had advanced the runners to second and third, and Macklin delivered them with a double, tying the game at five apiece.

Missouri State led off the bottom of the inning with another homer, and Katie came on in relief of Kelsey. Kelsey faced four batters and gave up a double and two home runs. Yikes!! Katie got the next three batters.

Bears lead 6-5 after three complete.

[1972Shocker]

Our pitching staff does keep things very interesting. You just never know what you are going to get.

[1972Shocker]

6-6 after 4 complete. 3 inning ball game now. Kelli Spring lead off the 4th with a homer to right center to tie the game. Her 1st round tripper of the year.

[flyingMoose]

Kelli leads off the fourth with a homer, and the game is tied again. Katie had an three up, three down inning, and we head to the fifth, tied at six.

I am gone for the duration. Have to check back later.

[1972Shocker]

Liz leads off the fourth with a homer, and the game is tied again. Katie had an three up, three down inning, and we head to the fifth, tied at six.

I am gone for the duration. Have to check back later.

I think it Kelli who had the lead off homer in the 4th.

After 2 pop ups to 2B Melanie singled to right center but was thrown out a 2nd trying to stretch it into a double.

Katie sets down the Bears' 3-4-5 hitters in order on 7 pitches in the bottom of the 5th.

Now we have a 2 inning game.

[flyingMoose]

I think it Kelli who had the lead off homer in the 4th.

You are correct. Corrected above. Now I am gone. :)

[1972Shocker]

In the top of the 6th the Shocks' 8-9-1 batters go down in order on 8 pitches. Game is moving right along now.

6-7-8 due for the Bears in the bottom of the 6th.

Katie sets the Bears down in order in the bottom of the 6th although she went a 3-2 count before getting a pinch hitter in the 8-hole. Perhaps a big out -- probably better for the Shocks if the Bears are leading off the bottom of the 7th with the 9-hole and not the 1-hole.

[1972Shocker]

In the top of the 7th Cacy strikes out leading off the inning. Brittany then walks. No surprise they were careful with the Fort.

Mackenzie Wright singled to LF to put runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out.

Liz Broyles the singles to CF scoring Brittany from 2nd with Mackenzie going to 3rd and Liz taking 2nd on the throw to the plate. Shocks lead 7-6.

MSU replace Stuemph with Van Es with Macklin Hits coming to the plate.

Van Es jump ahead of Macklin 1-2. Macklin then gets Van Es out of the jam by hitting a fly ball to CF that went over the fence. I think they call that a 3-run homer. It did get MSU out of the jam though.

Katie now has some breathing room as the Shocks lead 10-6. Hopefully, Katie didn't cool off too much in the Shocks long at bat.

9-1-2 due up for the Bears.

[1972Shocker]

Katie struck out the #9 hitter leading off the bottom of the 7th. Big out as she cycles back to the top of the order.

The 1-hole hitter flies out to CF. 2 down, nobody on.

1 pitch later and the game is over as the MSU 2-hole hitter popped up to CF.

Basically Katie pitched a 5 inning perfect game. 15 up and 15 down. No runs, no hits, no walks, no errors, no HBP, nada, zip, zilch.

Let's see who should get the Player of the Game nod? Duh! However, the offense deserves credit for keeping the Shocks in it while Katie came to the rescue then exploding for the big 4 run 7th to put the game away.

I wonder if Katie was just a little motivated by be #3 in the rotation today. OTOH, HCKB may just wanted to make sure Katie was available to finish the game. I doubt she thought she would have to go to her so soon. Especially considering the Shocks put 5 runs on the board in their 1st 3 innings.

Liz and Macklin were both 3 for 4 and had the big hits to drive in runs in the 7th innings. Liz with the game winning RBI and Macklin the big fly to take some pressure off of Katie.

Shocks: 10R, 13H, 1E, 5LOB
Bears: 6R, 8H, 1E, 2LOB

[1972Shocker]

The Shocks take the series with the Bears 2-1 to improve to 11-10 in Valley play and 29-21 overall.

The Shocks have 6 games remaining. 3 each with Loyola and Evansville. Those two teams are a combined 5-33 in Valley play. The Shocks have a great shot at finishing 17-10. Need better pitching efforts from Jennie and Kelsey than they got today.

Considering the Shocks were 2-8 after their first 10 Valley games a 17-10 finish, if they can sweep both of the bottom feeders, would be quite the recovery. It won't win the league title they were favored to win but it should remove a lot of the bad taste from that start heading into the Valley Tournament.