Shocker SB at Texas Tech Invitational

[flyingMoose]

With two outs in the second, Mauriana and Ashley single but Mauriana is thrown out at the plate on a single by Mackenzie. Again the Miners get a runner in scoring position with a walk and a steal, but no runs score.

Shockers 2-0 after two.

[flyingMoose]

The Shocks widen the gap in the third. A double by Laurie and a walk to Paige is followed by a three-run shot by Madison.

The lead is now 5-0 after three.

[1972Shocker]

Looks like the Shocks have a real keeper in Freshman Madison Perrigan. One thing I like about this Shocker team is that they don't have to depend on one or two players for the bulk of their run production.

The Shocks already have 5 players with double figure RBI's at this point:

Laurie Derrico 17
Macklin Hitz 16
Mackenzie Wright 16
Paige Luellen 14
Madison Perrigan 13

[flyingMoose]

UTEP brings on a new pitcher to start the fourth, but it doesn't help much. Singles by Ashley, Kelli and Laurie score a run, and a double steal puts runners at second and third. A single by Paige scores another run before a line drive DP ends the inning.

The Miners get a run back with a solo homer in the bottom half. It was followed by two singles but no more runs.

Shockers lead 7-1 after four.

[1972Shocker]

Bailey on in relief of Katie to start the bottom of the 5th and very quickly disposes of the Miners.

[flyingMoose]

Bailey on in relief of Katie to start the bottom of the 5th.

And she has a three-up, three-down inning.

Shocks still lead 7-1 after five.

[flyingMoose]

In the sixth, infield singles by Kelli and Laurie lead to nothing.

With two outs in the bottom half, a single and a homer plate two runs for UTEP. Then a hit batter and a single make things a little scary. But Madison picks the runner off first to end the inning.

Shockers lead 7-3 after six.

[1972Shocker]

Yep, Madison is bona fide. She can stay.

[1972Shocker]

I was a little surprised that HCKB wasn't more aggressive in trying to add an insurance run or two in the Shocker 7th. But with a 4-run lead they should be okay.

Update: Just barely okay. Whew!

[flyingMoose]

HCKB empties the bench in the top of the seventh. A double by Kennedy Long (well, she was already in the DP spot as a pinch-runner) and Ashley Malone (a senior from Wichita says the roster, but no school is listed) is hit by a pitch. Brigitta Doherty, a freshman from California, makes her first appearance as a Shocker and pops out. Kiersten Otte, another freshman and heretofore strictly a pinch-runner, flies out before Bethany flies out to end the inning.

Bailey gives up a couple of singles mixed in with a couple of outs and then yields a run-scoring double. A wild pitch scores another run and a walk puts the tying run on base, runners at first and third. Bailey's appearances are not for the faint of heart. Katie is back in to try to close this thing out. Katie's relief appearances are not for the faint of heart either.

Katie gets a strike out to end the game.


Shockers 7-5 UTEP

The Shocks had fifteen hits. Paige and Madison each had a homer and three RBI. Laurie had three hits including a double. Mackenzie, Kelli, Paige and Ashley all had two hits.

Katie gave up four hits and a run in her four and one-third with three strikeouts. Bailey also had three strikeouts, but gave up six hits and four runs in her two and two-thirds.


A game against North Texas follows immediately.

[1972Shocker]

That got a lot more interesting than you would want with UTEP getting the tying runs on base with the winning run at the plate in a player that had homered earlier in the game. This in a game the Shocks were very close to run ruling the Miner. But it counts as 1 win either way.

Bailey set down the 1st 5 hitters she faced then things just kind of went the other way for her.

Tough thing to do to Katie to bring her back into the game in that situation but she bailed out her Freshman teammate as a good senior should do.

I wonder what is going through HCKB's mind at this point but I'm sure she is concerned about the depth of her pitching staff.

I wonder if she might let Jenni start this next game and see what she can do with her, hopefully, 50 pitches and then let Katie take over.

[flyingMoose]

Game Four

North Texas v Shockers

Katie starts this one too. The starting lineup is also the same. Craine has the start for the Mean Green.

[flyingMoose]

I wonder if she might let Jenni start this next game and see what she can do with her, hopefully, 50 pitches and then let Katie take over.

My thought also but not the case. It is possible Jenni did not come out of yesterday's game completely well and is being held out.

[1972Shocker]

Does Katie get a win and a save in the UTEP game?

[flyingMoose]

Does Katie get a win and a save in the UTEP game?

No, you cannot get a save if you are the winning pitcher.