2016 MVC Softball Tournament

[LuskingforGuttin]

Friday Games

Missouri State 3-4 Southern Illinois

The Salukis took an early 4-0 lead off Kaitlin Beason and survived a three-spot by the Bears in the fourth. Brianna Jones gave up six hits in earning her 23rd win of the season. Southern Illinois plays the Shockers later today.

Frustrating end to a very frustrating season. I thought last year that we were making strides. Not the case. It would not even remotely hurt my feelings if Holly Hesse decided not to get on the bus heading back to Springfield.

[1972Shocker]

Jenni Brooks gave up 3 runs in the top of the 1st on a double, 2-out walk where the Shocks thought ball 4 was strike 3, followed by a single and a double.

In the bottom of the Shocks took advantage of a lead-off walk by Macklin Hitz and a 2-out single by Ashley Johnson as Freshman Lauri Anne Derrico cashed in with a 3-run homer to tie the game at the end of 2 innings.

Jenni gets through the top of the 3rd unscathed. In the bottom of the inning Liz Broyles drove the CF to the wall just missing a 2-run homer.

[1972Shocker]

Shocks take the lead on a 1-out, 2-run bases loaded single by Paige Luellen off of SIU's #1 pitcher Brianna Jones who came on in relief of starter Savan Dover.

An SIU error on a run-down allowed Mackenzie Wright to advance to 3rd and Paige to 2nd.

However, Macklin Hitz had a poor AB (over anxious no doubt) popping up to the catcher on a high pitch the was out of the strike zone on a 2-0 count. Liz Broyles grounded out to end the inning.

Shocks 5 - Salukis 3 after 5 innings.

[1972Shocker]

Shocks add 2 more in the 5th with the help of 2 SIU errors but they again had the bases loaded and no outs with 1 run already scored and only scored 1 more and that scored on a 2-out error by the SIU SS on what looked to be a routine play.

Shocks up 7-3 after 5. Hopefully, they don't regret not taking full advantage of their opportunities in the 4th and the 5th.

[1972Shocker]

Sure as shootin' SIU has a rally going in the 6th. 3 singles have plated a run and put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Tying run to the plate.

A fly to CF and a 2-out walk load the bases.

Jenni walks in a run. She looks like she is done to me.

Yep, Katie Malone coming on in relief. Personally, I thought HCKB stayed with Jenni way too long. Hopefully, Katie can get out of this.

Katie gets a pop fly to Brittany in LF on a 3-2 count to end the inning.

Shocks 7 - Salukis 5 heading into the bottom of the 6th.

[1972Shocker]

Shocks leave the bases loaded again in the 6th but Katie pitches a strong 7th striking out the final two hitters as this group of Shocker seniors finally get a win in the Valley Tournament. Final: Shockers 7 - Salukis 5.

Shocks left 12 runners on base in their 6 at bats including 8 in their last 3 at bats.

Hopefully, the Shocks will be sharper tomorrow. I think they will need to be.

[flyingMoose]

Other Friday Games

Illinois State 2-1 Northern Iowa

Regan Romshek continued her magic with a five-hitter against the Panthers. The Redbirds scored in the sixth and seventh, one of those runs being unearned. Northern Iowa scored in the bottom of the seventh and had runners at second and third with one out but could not score again.


Illinois State 1-5 Drake

Drake and Nicole Newman stopped the Romshek Express. By the third inning, the Bulldogs had scored five runs, only two of which were earned. Newman only allowed three hits by the Redbirds, one a homer, and struck out twelve.


The Shockers and Drake meet at 1pm tomorrow for the Valley Tournament Championship and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

[1972Shocker]

They say it's tough to be a team 3 times in a year. How about 4 times.

[flyingMoose]

They say it's tough to be a team 3 times in a year. How about 4 times.

We swept Drake when they were in a bit of a funk, but they swept Bradley last weekend, so they are definitely out of that funk. Newman was very impressive against Illinois State, but that is not the same offense the Shockers have. But Newman is the Pitcher of the Year, so this will definitely be a challenge. Hope the Shocker pitching shows up.

[flyingMoose]

Finished watching the replay this morning. The plate umpire had a rough day. He had to give both benches warnings for complaining about balls and strikes, and he should have ejected the Saluki assistant coach for complaining again in the seventh. In fact, she went after him again after the game was over. NCAA umpires are not supposed to tolerate complaints about judgement calls (a tougher stance than in previous years), and he will get dinged by the Tournament UIC, I think.

Katie got her two strikeouts in the seventh by the batter swinging at pitches out of the zone.

[flyingMoose]

Championship Game

Jenni has the start. She could not stay ahead of the hitters late in the game yesterday, so it will be interesting to see how long she can last. I do not anticipate a complete game from her, but that would be a good sign if it happened. The batting order has been shuffled a bit, but it is all the recent regulars. With LA's recent rush, there are now six Shockers with an OPS greater than 1.000 in Valley play. Newman, of course, has the start for Drake.

The game is underway, but there is no ESPN3 feed at the moment.

The game is up in the top of the first.

Drake opened with a single and walk before lining into an unassisted DP by Kelli. A stolen base and throwing error by Mackenzie put a runner on third, but Jenni closed the inning with a strike out.

In the bottom of the first, PaigeL gets a two-out walk, but the Shocks can muster no follow-on offense.

[WuDrWu]

Fortner leads off the 2nd with a double, Macklin bunts her to 3rd (almost got a hit out of it) and the Shox threaten to take the lead.

Ashley Johnson's sac fly does just that. 1-0 Shocks.


Laurie Anne Derrico drives one to the wall and they have a runner on 2nd with 2 outs.

Spring strikes out and it's 1-0 after 2 full.

[flyingMoose]

In the second, Drake managed an infield single, but nothing more.

Brittany led off the Shocker second with a double past the left fielder when she turned the wrong way. Macklin bunted her to third, and Ashley delivered a sac fly to right. LA followed by one-hopping the wall in left center for a double, but Kelli struck out,.

Shocks lead 1-0 after two innings.

Oops - I'm late.

[WuDrWu]

A fortunate swinging bunt and a hit off the 3rd base bag and the Geese have something brewing with runners at 1st and 2nd and 1 out.

Jenni needs to settle down and get the batter here.

WOW! Line drive to out 1st baseman who steps on the bag and doubles up the runner, ending the threat.

1-0 going to the bottom of the 3rd.

[flyingMoose]

WOW! Line drive to out 1st baseman who steps on the bag and doubles up the runner, ending the threat.

The second time Sowa has lined into an unassisted DP in this game.

Cacy dumps a single between the short stop and left fielder to lead off the Shocker third, but they cannot move her.