Shocker SB v Loyola

[flyingMoose]

The Shockers continue their Valley schedule this weekend against Loyola with two games on Friday, starting at 3pm, and a game on Saturday that starts at noon.

The Ramblers of Loyola have a season record of 15-9 and a conference record of 0-2. Last weekend, they lost two games to Southern Illinois and one game to the weather. Loyola has played a fairly soft pre-conference schedule and only has an RPI of 168 even with their winning record.

The Loyola offense is led by Brooke Wyderski (OPS of 1.455 and eight home runs) and Erica Nagel (OPS of 1.271). Katie Kasubke also has a decent OPS number at .928.

The primary starting pitchers for the Ramblers are Ashley Rogers (ERA of 2.13 and WHIP of 1.17) and Kiley Jones (3.27 and 1.40). Madison Hope (2.23 and 1.28) is a third pitcher who has seen a good bit of action.

PaigeL (OPS of 1.144) and Macklin (1.100) continue to lead the offense for the Shocks. Cacy has six home runs and an OPS of .995.

The numbers for the pitching staff in innings-pitched order are: Katie (ERA of 4.38 and WHIP of 1.57), Jenni (3.32 and 1.52) and Kelsey (2.91 and 1.48).

[1972Shocker]

The numbers for the pitching staff in innings-pitched order are: Katie (ERA of 4.38 and WHIP of 1.57), Jenni (3.32 and 1.52) and Kelsey (2.91 and 1.48).

Interesting to see the variance in ERA's with little difference in the WHIP's. Looking at the stats I would say that Katie's propensity to give up extra base hits is hurting her. Katie gives up 1.07 doubles and 1.25 home runs per 7 innings. Jenni's numbers are 0.80 and 0.93 and Kelsey's numbers are 1.94 and 0.65. Kelsey is showing an ability to work around the doubles or perhaps giving them up in situations that are not as damaging or easier to work around (i.e. 2-out and nobody on base). Of course, the timing of when you give up those hits is obviously important.

[1972Shocker]

Jenni Brooks lowered her ERA to 2.93 and her WHIP to 1.39 with her 2 hit, 1 walk complete game in leading the Shocks to a 5-0 win over Loyola in the 1st game of that series.

Brittany Fortner gave Jenni all the support she needed when she lead off the Shocker 1st with a home run. Kelli Spring followed with a single. A double by PaigeL to right-center scored Kelli. After advancing to 3rd on Cacy's 4-3 ground out Macklin Hitz her in with single to center to put the Shocks up after 1 inning.

In the 4th Cacy walked and Macklin Hitz a homer to finish of the scoring.

BTW, Macklin has to be a shoo-in for the Valley All-Name team.

[1972Shocker]

Katie Malone is in the circle for Game 2.

Shocks duplicate their 3-0 after 1 inning start in Game 1. With 1 out consecutive singles by Kelli, PaigeL and Cacy produced the 1 run with PaigeL going to 3rd and Cacy taking 2nd on the throw to the plate. Then Macklin Hitz a 2-run single to make it 3-0 at the end of 1.

[flyingMoose]

Interesting to see the variance in ERA's with little difference in the WHIP's. Looking at the stats I would say that Katie's propensity to give up extra base hits is hurting her. Katie gives up 1.07 doubles and 1.25 home runs per 7 innings. Jenni's numbers are 0.80 and 0.93 and Kelsey's numbers are 1.94 and 0.65. Kelsey is showing an ability to work around the doubles or perhaps giving them up in situations that are not as damaging or easier to work around (i.e. 2-out and nobody on base). Of course, the timing of when you give up those hits is obviously important.

Confirming your thoughts using the OPS-against of each pitcher after the Friday games:

Jenni - .701
Katie - .835
Kelsey - .788

Opponents - .805
Shockers - .798

[flyingMoose]

Katie Malone is in the circle for Game 2.

Shocks duplicate their 3-0 after 1 inning start in Game 1. With 1 out consecutive singles by Kelli, PaigeL and Cacy produced the 1 run with PaigeL going to 3rd and Cacy taking 2nd on the throw to the plate. Then Macklin Hitz a 2-run single to make it 3-0 at the end of 1.

Assuming @1972Shocker is away ...

Loyola scored two in the third: single, double, double and all of the hits were roped.

With two outs in the Shocker fifth, walks to Macklin and Liz and a pinch-hit bouncer through the 5-6 hole by Bethany Canada loaded the bases. Laurie Anne then dumped a single into left center that scored two runs and gave the Shocks a 5-2 lead and some breathing room.

In the sixth for the Shocks, Kelli punched a single to left. Then the Rambler shortstop made a bad throw to first on a ground ball by PaigeL. The catcher, going down the line as a backup, started to chase the errant throw. This left home uncovered and she could not recover in time to prevent Kelli scoring all the way from first with PaigeL winding up at third. From there she scored on a grounder by Cacy.

Loyola 2-7 Shockers


Katie pitched a complete game, giving up two runs on ten hits. She struck out five.

Kelli had two of the Shocks' eight hits and had another line smash the pitcher caught and turned into a DP. Cacy, Macklin and Laurie Anne all had two RBI.

On the day, the Shockers grounded into two DPs and lined into three.


And today, I got to watch all of both games. :)

[flyingMoose]

Game Three

Jenni got the start again. MackenzieW was not dressed yesterday although she was in the dugout, and she did not play today. Liz is at third, Kelli is at second, Laurie Anne is at shortstop with Ashley back in center field. Back to Mackenzie: she was moving around dancing to the music yesterday, so I assume no leg injury, no sickness and no arm injury since she was swinging her arms about.

As in the first game yesterday, Brittany led off with a home run in the bottom of the first. In the second, Liz and Cassidy had back-to-back homers.

In the fourth, the Shocks plated five more runs. Singles by Laurie Anne and Ashley and a walk to Brittany loaded the bases. Walks to Kelli and PaigeL scored the first two runs of the inning. After a pitching change, a wild pitch and a two-RBI single by Macklin scored the last three. The Shockers lead 8-0 after four.

With a runs-ahead result in sight, Kelsey came on to start the fifth inning and retired the side in order, the last looking.

Loyola 0-8(5) Shockers


Jenni picked up the win (8-3), allowing two hits and a walk with one strike out. Brittany, Liz and Cassidy had the previously mentioned home runs among the seven hits by the Shocks, and Macklin has two RBI. They also benefitted from five walks and a hit batter.


After mid-week games at Kansas and against Tulsa, the Shockers travel to Normal next weekend for a series against Illinois State.

[1972Shocker]

Needed the sweep for sure. Jenni seems like she is starting to get it but perhaps the quality of the competition came into play this weekend.

What do you think about having Brittany in the lead off spot? If that is where she is most comfortble and productive stay with it. But she seems more like a 3-hole hitter to me.

Macklin Hitz in 7 RBI on a very productive weekend for her.

Jenni and Macklin have to be in the running for Valley Pitcher of the Week and Player of the Week respectively.

[flyingMoose]

What do you think about having Brittany in the lead off spot? If that is where she is most comfortble and productive stay with it. But she seems more like a 3-hole hitter to me.

It seems like the right spot. PaigeL, Cacy and Macklin all have higher slugging percentages, although there is not much difference between her and PaigeL and Cacy. Kelli handles the bat and bunts, so she seem like the prototypical two-hole hitter. So that leaves Brittany as the leadoff, given that those are your five best hitters, and they belong in the first five spots in the order. To me, Cacy is the only other option as leadoff.

Macklin Hitz in 7 RBI on a very productive weekend for her.

Macklin is on an absolute tear. Her OPS is now 1.189, the highest on the team.

[flyingMoose]

It seems like the right spot. PaigeL, Cacy and Macklin all have higher slugging percentages, although there is not much difference between her and PaigeL and Cacy. Kelli handles the bat and bunts, so she seem like the prototypical two-hole hitter. So that leaves Brittany as the leadoff, given that those are your five best hitters, and they belong in the first five spots in the order. To me, Cacy is the only other option as leadoff.

Cacy also bunts well, so I suppose you could make a case for Kelli and Cacy in the first two spots with Brittany/PaigeL in some order followed by Macklin.