2017 MVC Softball Tournament

[1972Shocker]

Jaclyn Spencer, a lefty, comes on for UNI to start the 5th in the circle in relief of Alyssa Buchanan.

The Shockers manufacture the go ahead run with 2 outs in the 5th. Mackenzie Wright worked a 4 ptich walk and with Kellin down in the count 1-2 stole second. Kelli who 2 pitches prior was badley fooled on a change up hit a soft liner right over 2nd base that socre Mackenzie from 2nd. A really good AB for Kelli.

Shockers 2 - Panthers 1 heading into the bottom of the 5th. 9-1-2 hitters up for UNI.

Katie walks the the 9-hole hitter. About the last thing she wanted to do.

With 2-outs and an 0-2 count on the hitter Katie laid a pitch right down the middle waste high (may have been a change up) and gave up a 2 out home run. Just really a bad mistake by Katie. Had to lose a bit of focus there.

After 5 complete Panthers 3 - Shockers 2.

[1972Shocker]

In the top fo the 6th Madison Perrigan reaches on an error by the 2nd baseman and 1-out later Laurie Derrico launches a home run to right of center pretty close to where she hit her home run in Game 1 and the Shocks retake the lead 4-3.

Hopefully the Shocks can make this lead hold up but an insurance run or two would be nice.

I have to leave for a while. I will have my fingers crossed.

[WuShock16]

Walkoff three-run homer for UNI...

😢😢😢

[1972Shocker]

Ouch! What a tough way to not only lose a game but to end a season and for our seniors to end their careers. Especially feel bad for Katie Malone who had a terrfic senior season. Unfortunately, Katie had a couple of huge kicks in the gut this year. The LSU game and then this loss. Fortunately, Katie had many more highs in her career than lows but this one is going to hurt for a while.

Best wishes to all our seniors.

The Shocks inaugural season in the AAC will certainly be interesting. Need to totally replaced the pitching staff, the outfield, the right side of the infield and some pretty decent hitters.

[flyingMoose]

Game Six

Southern Illinois 2-0(8) Illinois State

This was a pitcher's duel, but the Redbirds loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh with one out. After a fly out to short right field, de los Reyes, the Valley Player of the Year, struck out on a 3-2 pitch that appeared to be a little high. On to the eighth where two errors allowed the Salukis to win and advance to the Saturday finals against Northern Iowa. Brianna Jones retired all five she faced in relief for the win.

[flyingMoose]

Last year the Tournament changed its schedule. Prior to that, the winners of the lowest-seed games played the three and four seeds later the same day. This allowed the three and four seeds to play on three consecutive days if they reached the Championship Final, an arrangement that minimized the stress on the pitching staff. Last year and this, the lowest-seed winner waited until the following day to play the three and four seeds and the winners of those games played again the same day (Friday). Now the three and four seeds have to play three games in two days (I understand - this is the same as a conference weekend, but more difficult than the old Tournament schedule). With the Shockers effectively using only one pitcher (I haven't watched the Replay of the UNI game - maybe Jenni just did not have it), the current schedule caught up with them.

[flyingMoose]

Championship Game

Southern Illinois 4-3 Northern Illinois

The Salukis put up a four-spot in the fourth to take a 4-1 and held off the Panthers who scored single runs in the fifth and sixth. Dover pitched two innings in relief after Northern Iowa put the first two runners on base in the sixth.

Selection Sunday will determine where Southern Illinois is going for their Regional.

[flyingMoose]

Tulsa beat Houston 1-0 to win the AAC Tournament.

The Selection Show is Sunday at 9pm on ESPN2.