The Road to the Valley Softball Tournament

[flyingMoose]

With two weeks remaining in the conference schedule, it is time to see where the Lady Shocks stand in being one of the eight teams that make the tournament.

The current standings of interest are:

6: Missouri State 9-10
7: Evansville 7-13
8: Wichita State 6-12
9: Bradley 5-15
10: Indiana State 3-16

The Shocks have weekend series with Bradley and Indiana State remaining. Bradley have series with us and Illinois State (currently first). Indiana State have series with Missouri State and the Shocks.

Evansville have series with Drake and Creighton remaining, while Missouri State have dates with Indiana State and Northern Iowa.

Unless we stumble really badly, we should qualify for the tournament and could very easily finish seventh.

I must remark that Missouri State swept Creighton when illegal pitches were being called against Tara Oltman. Once the NCAA loosened their interpretation of illegal pitches (the week of the Creighton series with us), the Bears gained a significant advantage versus the remaining teams on the Creighton schedule, us among others. Otherwise, we would have a shot at sixth, our preseason pick in the Valley.

[Quick Pitch]

Looks like we can control our own destiny and we have a very good chance of making the tournament. BUT it is depressing to think that a few short years ago we were talking about making a Regional Tournament and now we are trying to figure ways to make the Valley Tournament.

[1972Shocker]

I agree that the Shocks would have to falter mightily with what they have remaining on the schedule to miss the MVC Tournament.

The win over SIU yesterday was a good win in that regards.

Nevertheless, as QP said it is disappointing to be discussing whether or not the Shocks can make the MVC Tournament (with only 2 teams left out).

I'm thinking we will get there, but I don't see us making a lot of noise in the Tournament unless Kasha is hot and Pooch decides to see how far she can carry the team.

The Shocks will have 2 games on the 1st day of the Tournament. If they can somehow get by both of those than maybe they could pull the huge upset. After day 1 it is one game each of the following two days (unless weather problems screw the schedule up). Please don't ask me to bet on it though.

[flyingMoose]

Results from Saturday 1 May

The Shocks take two from Bradley, Evansville splits with Drake, Missouri State takes two from Indiana State, Northern Iowa drops two to Southern Illinois and Illinois State and Creighton split.

Current standings are:

1. Southern Illinois 17-4
2. Illinois State 16-4
3. Creighton 15-6
T4. Drake 11-10
T4. Missouri State 11-10
T4. Northern Iowa 11-10
7. Shocks 8-12
8. Evansville 8-14
9. Bradley 5-17
10. Indiana State 3-18

[flyingMoose]

Results from Sunday 2 May

The Shocks beat Bradley, Evansville beat Drake, Missouri State beat Indiana State, Southern Illinois beat Northern Iowa, and Creighton beat Illinois State.

Current standings are:

1. Southern Illinois 18-4
2. Illinois State 16-5
3. Creighton 16-6
4. Missouri State 12-10
T5. Drake 11-11
T5. Northern Iowa 11-11
7. Shocks 9-12
8. Evansville 9-14
9. Bradley 5-18
10. Indiana State 3-19

Next weekend the series are: Shocks at Indiana State, Missouri State at Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois at Drake, Evansville at Creighton and Illinois State at Bradley.

As '72 has noted elsewhere, the Shocks are in the tourney, and in fact, the eight qualifying teams are known. A sweep of Indiana State probably places the Shocks no worse than sixth with fifth a possibility depending on the outcome of other series.

[flyingMoose]

Results from Saturday 8 May

The Shocks and Indiana State each give away a game, Southern Illinois take two of three from Drake (they started their series yesterday), Missouri State split with Northern Iowa, Illinois State take two from Bradley and Creighton take two from Evansville.

Current standings are:

1. Southern Illinois 20-4
2. Illinois State 18-5
3. Creighton 18-6
4. Missouri State 13-11
5. Northern Iowa 12-12
6. Drake 12-13
7. Shocks 10-13
8. Evansville 9-16
9. Bradley 5-20
10. Indiana State 4-20

The Shocks will finish seventh in the conference. Assuming I understand tournament bracketing and the tie breaking procedure, if Northern Iowa beats Missouri State tomorrow the Shocks will play Drake in the first round of the Valley Tournament. If Northern Iowa loses to the Bears, the Shocks will play Northern Iowa, Drake having won the series with UNI earlier in the year.

[flyingMoose]

Results from Sunday 9 May

The Shocks lose to Indiana State, Northern Iowa beat Missouri State, Illinois State beat Bradley and Evansville beat Creighton.

Current standings are:

1. Southern Illinois 20-4
2. Illinois State 19-5
3. Creighton 18-7
T4. Northern Iowa 13-12
T4. Missouri State 13-12
6. Drake 12-13
7. Shocks 10-14
8. Evansville 10-16
9. Indiana State 5-20
10. Bradley 5-21

The Shocks finish seventh in the conference and will face Drake in the opening round of the tournament. By virtue of winning the series with Missouri State, Northern Iowa will be the four seed in the tournament.

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