WSU Softball vs Missouri State - Tue 05/03; 6:00pm

[1972Shocker]

Last Chance For the Shocks. Brittany leads of with a walk but Ashley pops her attempt at a sac bunt that was caught on a nice diving play by the MSU third baseman. Laurie Ann Derrico picked up Ashley with a sharp single to center that I believe deflected off the end of the shortstop's glove. Brittany aggressively took 3rd and LA went to 2nd on the throw to 3rd. The brought up Kelli Spring who delivered a walk-off 2-run single giving the Shocks an exciting 5-4 win.

I guess the Shocks were just wanting to make things dramatic. That they did.

A big win for the Lady Shocks. That eliminates UNI and SIU from the championship race, clinches a co-championship for the Shocks and clinches the #1 seed in the Valley Tournament. It also keeps alive the Shocks hopes for a possible at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Finally, it extends the Shockers winning streak to 11 games.

Also good to see Jenni back in the mix.

[1972Shocker]

You have to love the way the Shocks kept sawing wood despite missing on a number of scoring opportunities then giving up the atomic bomb that put MSU up a run in the 6th. The Shocks missed on a great scoring opportunity again in the 6th but came right back in the 7th and got the job done when it counted most.

[flyingMoose]

Last Chance For the Shocks. Brittany leads of with a walk but Ashley pops her attempt at a sac bunt that was caught on a nice diving play by the MSU third baseman. Laurie Ann Derrico picked up Ashley with a sharp single to center that I believe deflected off the end of the shortstop's glove. Brittany aggressively took 3rd and LA went to 2nd on the throw to 3rd. The brought up Kelli Spring who delivered a walk-off 2-run single giving the Shocks an exciting 5-4 win.

Watching the replay of the live stream of the bottom of the seventh ... Yes, LA's single trickled out into center field off the glove of the shortstop, allowing Brittany to advance on the hit and LA on the throw. You can't see third base on the live stream, but the player reactions made me think the throw got away, and Brittany thought about trying to score. Kelli's bouncer through the right side easily scored Brittany and LA. I wonder if the right fielder bobbled the ball on an attempted scoop and throw, as LA scored easily standing up. The camera angle definitely allows you to use your imagination.

The Bears are close to a win and four pitches later, it is all over: ball four, and then, each on the first pitch, a popped up bunt, single, single.

A nice come-from-behind win that should build some confidence.

[1972Shocker]

Wichita Eagle game article

[flyingMoose]

Kelli's bouncer through the right side easily scored Brittany and LA. I wonder if the right fielder bobbled the ball on an attempted scoop and throw, as LA scored easily standing up..

Being one of the insanely curious, I watched it again. The right fielder does field the ball cleanly, but the throw home was very weak. Originally, this was scored a double, but it has now been corrected to a single, although the play-by-play still says the hit was to center field.

[1972Shocker]

I thought the Shocks base running in the 7th was very aggressive and very good. Brittany probably does not go to 3rd and and draw the throw that allowed LA to move into scoring position at 2nd if the shortstop had not tipped LA's ball and slowed it down because it was very sharply hit. On the other hand, Kelli's ball was pretty much a seeing eye ball that was not that hard hit. Because Kelli pulled the ball in the hole on the right side LA was able to get a very good jump combined with the ball not being hit real hard and the weak throw she scored easily.

Very happy for Kelli who described her game winning single as "the biggest hit I've ever had in my career".

[flyingMoose]

On the other hand, Kelli's ball was pretty much a seeing eye ball that was not that hard hit. Because Kelli pulled the ball in the hole on the right side LA was able to get a very good jump combined with the ball not being hit real hard and the weak throw she scored easily.

Very happy for Kelli who described her game winning single as "the biggest hit I've ever had in my career".

It looked like the Bears' 2B tried to "side-saddle" the hop, it came up on her, and she wound up fanning on the ball altogether. Having the infield in helped, too. A quote by HCKB in the article sounded like Brittany and LA were running on contact, making LA's dash home fairly straightforward.

It was nice that softball got the "local sports" coverage from the Eagle that it did - lead article and a good one, photographs.