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The Shockers open their 2017 season at a tournament in Houston hosted by the Cougars.
The Shocks play two games on Friday, Boston College at 9am and Wright State at 1130am. They wrap up their portion of the tournament with another two games on Saturday, UCSB at 2pm and Houston at 7pm. The other teams will each have a game on Sunday.
Boston College is a member of the ACC where they are picked sixth of eleven teams in the preseason poll. Last year, the Eagles finished 30-23 overall and 12-9 in the ACC, their best record since joining the conference for the 2006 season. Their staff returns four pitchers and had the third-best ERA in conference play. Jessica Dreswick and Allyson Frei are the mainstays in the circle. A lineup that had the highest batting average in school history returns all but two starters. Tatiana Cortez was All-ACC First Team last year and had thirteen home runs. Outfielder Annie Murphy was Second Team.
Wright State is picked second in the nine-team Horizon League, the same spot they finished last year. Horizon League First Team selections from last year are pitcher Ashley Sharp, outfielder Honnah Susor and shortstop Becka Peterson.
The Gauchos of UC Santa Barbara are a pick for sixth among the eight teams of the Big West. Kristen Clark was First Team for the All-Big West last year, and Sierra Altmeyer was Second Team and All-Freshman. Veronika Gulvin will become the primary starter this year.
Houston is slotted for fourth among the seven teams of the American Athletic Conference. Tulsa is a narrow pick for first in this league. Savannah Heebner is the only returning member of the AAC First Team. Although she had (marginally) the most innings for the Cougars last year, her accolade was earned as a DP/Utility. Elise LeBeouf and Maya Thomas are returning members of the Second Team.
The Shockers return Katie Malone in the circle and welcomes freshman lefty Bailey Klitzke to the staff. Jenni Brooks had off-season surgery and is hoping to be back by March 1. Morgan Palmer, a transfer from Seminole State as an outfielder, may eat a few innings here and there until then.
With the graduation of Cacy, Brittany and Liz, the offense may take awhile to come around. Macklin Hitz, Paige Luellen and Laurie Derrico have the highest returning OPS, all above .900.
The Shocks play two games on Friday, Boston College at 9am and Wright State at 1130am. They wrap up their portion of the tournament with another two games on Saturday, UCSB at 2pm and Houston at 7pm. The other teams will each have a game on Sunday.
Boston College is a member of the ACC where they are picked sixth of eleven teams in the preseason poll. Last year, the Eagles finished 30-23 overall and 12-9 in the ACC, their best record since joining the conference for the 2006 season. Their staff returns four pitchers and had the third-best ERA in conference play. Jessica Dreswick and Allyson Frei are the mainstays in the circle. A lineup that had the highest batting average in school history returns all but two starters. Tatiana Cortez was All-ACC First Team last year and had thirteen home runs. Outfielder Annie Murphy was Second Team.
Wright State is picked second in the nine-team Horizon League, the same spot they finished last year. Horizon League First Team selections from last year are pitcher Ashley Sharp, outfielder Honnah Susor and shortstop Becka Peterson.
The Gauchos of UC Santa Barbara are a pick for sixth among the eight teams of the Big West. Kristen Clark was First Team for the All-Big West last year, and Sierra Altmeyer was Second Team and All-Freshman. Veronika Gulvin will become the primary starter this year.
Houston is slotted for fourth among the seven teams of the American Athletic Conference. Tulsa is a narrow pick for first in this league. Savannah Heebner is the only returning member of the AAC First Team. Although she had (marginally) the most innings for the Cougars last year, her accolade was earned as a DP/Utility. Elise LeBeouf and Maya Thomas are returning members of the Second Team.
The Shockers return Katie Malone in the circle and welcomes freshman lefty Bailey Klitzke to the staff. Jenni Brooks had off-season surgery and is hoping to be back by March 1. Morgan Palmer, a transfer from Seminole State as an outfielder, may eat a few innings here and there until then.
With the graduation of Cacy, Brittany and Liz, the offense may take awhile to come around. Macklin Hitz, Paige Luellen and Laurie Derrico have the highest returning OPS, all above .900.
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