It is do or die time at Sharon J. Drysdale Field. It is win or go home and any other euphemism you want to use for this deciding game three between Northwestern and DePaul. The Wildcats will have to turn around quickly after a crushing 3-2 come-from-behind loss in the first game today. Everyone is back in their places and we are set to go.
First Inning: Here is one of the funny things about the NCAA Tournament. NU is not playing at home today. "The J" is a neutral site with mask of unbiased fan support (OK, it is about even between the DePaul and NU fans). The Cats were the home team for the first game, but will be the road team for this important game three.
So during the break, NU and DePaul literally switched dugouts. Even the fans switched sides of the stadium. Worth noting that the Cats defeated the Blue Demons yesterday as the road team.
Second Inning: Pitchers Becca Heteniak and Lauren Delaney have really gotten into a groove in this game. They are both retiring batters quickly. The Cats have a couple big hits to center field, but this one has the making of a pitcher's duel.
Third Inning: the offenses do not seem to be doing much. Mostly flailing the bat at missed pitches and hoping they make some form of contact. OK, that was hyperbole. But it may just be that kind of game. Both teams are flipping their lineups over for the first time. The next two innings could be the key to the game.
Fourth Inning: this looks familiar. Tammy Williams comes up with a runner on and hits a home run over the center field wall. The junior shortstop hits her second two-run home run of the day and gives NU a not too comfortable 2-0 lead.
Williams did the same in the third inning of today's first game. I guess the Cats got themselves a second chance to hold on to a two-run lead today..
DePaul responds by loading the bases with only one out. The worst part is there have been no hits in the inning. An error, a walk and a hit by pitch have put Delaney in her first jam of the game.
Kate Drohan takes time and groups the team at the pitcher's circle and that seems to calm Delaney down. She gets a foul out to left field and a line drive to Williams at shortstop. Cats hold on to the lead.
Fifth Inning: the speedy Jordan Wheeler adds to NU's lead with an RBI double to left center field. Not typically the RBI machine -- it is her only 10th of the year -- Wheeler picked the right spot to bring one home. DePaul loaded the bases last inning, but three seems a lot more than two against Delaney right now.
The Blue Demons got started with that difficult task. A leadoff single and some timely hitting and moving got runners on second and third, bringing team RBI leader Sandy Vojik to the plate. Her liner down the left field line brought two runs home and made it a one-run game.
Jackie Tarulli-Fisher gave the Cats something to think about blasting a shot to the left field wall in foul territory. But the score remains 3-2 after she grounds out to second. NU cannot afford to blow two big leads today, it obviously spells the end to the season.
Sixth Inning: the Blue Demons might have the momentum right now. Heteniak comes out of the dugout and gets three strikeouts -- two of them looking -- against big hitters Michelle Batts, Nicole Pauly and Erin Dyer. Cats will have to take back control on the defensive end.
An error on a weird bounce at short the only blemish in that inning. Cats hold a one-run lead heading into the final inning.
Song Between Innings: "Eye of the Tiger"... it must be that time of year. Aren't tigers part of the feline family?
Seventh Inning: Cats cannot add to their lead. It comes down to the final three outs for the Blue Demons. Nine hitter Alex Morocco and the top of the order are due up for the final three outs of someone's season -- unless we go to extras.
A leadoff single to shallow center is not the way to start if NU wants a trip to the super regionals. But that is exactly what happens, putting the tying run on with the top of the order coming to the plate.
A single that bounces off the glove of shortstop Tammy Williams is not a way to come back from that. But that is what happens and now the Cats face runners at second and third with nobody out.
After a strikeout, Vojik grounds out to the pitcher. Delaney throws the ball home to Dyer to get the tag out and preserve the lead. Runners at the corner with two outs. You can feel the tension as Jackie Tarulli-Fisher lines up for what could easily be the last at bat.
Tarullie-Fisher strikes out as she slams her bat to the ground and is comforted by her teammates. The hero from the last game cannot deliver and NU moves on with a 3-2 victory to play Arizona State or Hawaii.
Showing posts with label NCAA Tournament. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NCAA Tournament. Show all posts
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Softball NCAA Regional: Northwestern vs. DePaul Round 2 LIVE BLOG
Cue the dramatic music and video montage. DePaul upended Western Illinois yesterday6-0 to make it to the regional championship today. The Blue Demons suffered a 6-0 loss to the Cats yesterday afternoon and now have to defeat them twice to make it to the super regional.
Northwestern could not be sitting any prettier with two wins under its belt. The team has played some of its best softball of the season right now behind the hard-throwing arm of Lauren Delaney. The sophomore pitcher has not given up a run in the past 35 innings. That includes all five games of the postseason. She is really on top of her game.
The Cats got to Becca Heteniak yesterday. She is a very good pitcher and should be able to bounce back. This second game should be a lot closer than yesterday's. But I would expect NU to easily sweep its way into the super regional.
First Inning: DePaul looks like they will not go quietly into this good night... or windy afternoon. Amber Patton leads off the game with a double to left-center field. The Blue Demons have now equaled the number of runners they got into scoring position from yesterday's game. This is not the same team from yesterday and this will certainly not be the same game.
But despite the leadoff runner and a single which moved her to third, Delaney closes the door and extends her run-less streak. After an illegal steal, a strikeout and a groundout to third, NU keeps the game scoreless heading to the bottom of the inning.
Second Inning: Cats defense continues to have problems. With one out Nicole Pauly and Tammy Williams collide into each other going for pop out and then Robin Thompson struggles to field a grounder. Instead of the inning being over, DePaul suddenly has another inning with a very realistic scoring chance.
So what do you do when your defense is not doing well? Get the batter out at the plate. Delaney strands another runner in scoring position getting two strikeouts to end the inning and the threat.
Third Inning: that scoreless streak looks like it is going to end soon. DePaul again gets its leadoff runners on and everyone looks a little tentative. Delaney just had a ball grounded right to her and she hesitated making the decision to throw to first or take the leadoff runner at second.
Time for the defense to return the favor. Jackie Tarulli-Fisher lines out to Tammy Williams and she throws it easily to second for the double play. A great defensive play and despite being outplayed so far, NU is still in very much in this game. Order is coming back around and that is when the Cats usually do their damage.
NU finally gets a fortuitous bounce as Darcy Sengewald leads off the inning by reaching second base on a throwing error. Then Tammy Williams asks, "What slump?" by crushing a ball to straight-away center field. That is a 2-0 lead with an exclamation point!
Fourth Inning: The Blue Demons make a bunch of changes including pitcher Lindsey Dean for starter Becca Heteniak. In an odder move, they pull catcher Jackie Tarulli-Fisher in the middle of an at bat. Sign of a desperate team?
Fifth Inning: DePaul not going away that easily. A lead-off walk and single threatens NU again. A sacrifice bunt puts two runners in scoring position with the meat of the lineup coming to the plate. Delaney gets big hitter Sandy Vojik to strike out looking.
But Tarulli-Fisher comes up big with a two-run single to center field. NU played with fire all game and DePaul finally made the team pay. Tie game now entering the final two and a half innings.
Sixth Inning: Delaney retires the Blue Demons in order for the first time today. But the Cats cannot get anything going in the bottom. The game remains tied at two entering the final inning of regulation.
Seventh Inning: Leadoff runner Amber Patton reaches third on a close stolen base. Heteniak gave up NU's two runs as the pitcher, but she gave DePaul the run it needed to take the lead. She singles back up the middle to give the Blue Demons the lead.
The Cats have Darcy Sengewald, Jordan Wheeler and Tammy Williams due up to try and make the comeback.
Wheeler makes it to third base thanks to som clutch small-ball hitting. But NU needed the big bats. Heteniak comes back in as the pitcher and strikes out Nicole Pauly to end the inning. DePaul holds on for a 3-2 win, forcing a decisive game three.
Expect the same faces on all sides for this one in what should promise to be an exciting conclusion to the Evanston Regional of the NCAA Tournament.
Northwestern could not be sitting any prettier with two wins under its belt. The team has played some of its best softball of the season right now behind the hard-throwing arm of Lauren Delaney. The sophomore pitcher has not given up a run in the past 35 innings. That includes all five games of the postseason. She is really on top of her game.
The Cats got to Becca Heteniak yesterday. She is a very good pitcher and should be able to bounce back. This second game should be a lot closer than yesterday's. But I would expect NU to easily sweep its way into the super regional.
First Inning: DePaul looks like they will not go quietly into this good night... or windy afternoon. Amber Patton leads off the game with a double to left-center field. The Blue Demons have now equaled the number of runners they got into scoring position from yesterday's game. This is not the same team from yesterday and this will certainly not be the same game.
But despite the leadoff runner and a single which moved her to third, Delaney closes the door and extends her run-less streak. After an illegal steal, a strikeout and a groundout to third, NU keeps the game scoreless heading to the bottom of the inning.
Second Inning: Cats defense continues to have problems. With one out Nicole Pauly and Tammy Williams collide into each other going for pop out and then Robin Thompson struggles to field a grounder. Instead of the inning being over, DePaul suddenly has another inning with a very realistic scoring chance.
So what do you do when your defense is not doing well? Get the batter out at the plate. Delaney strands another runner in scoring position getting two strikeouts to end the inning and the threat.
Third Inning: that scoreless streak looks like it is going to end soon. DePaul again gets its leadoff runners on and everyone looks a little tentative. Delaney just had a ball grounded right to her and she hesitated making the decision to throw to first or take the leadoff runner at second.
Time for the defense to return the favor. Jackie Tarulli-Fisher lines out to Tammy Williams and she throws it easily to second for the double play. A great defensive play and despite being outplayed so far, NU is still in very much in this game. Order is coming back around and that is when the Cats usually do their damage.
NU finally gets a fortuitous bounce as Darcy Sengewald leads off the inning by reaching second base on a throwing error. Then Tammy Williams asks, "What slump?" by crushing a ball to straight-away center field. That is a 2-0 lead with an exclamation point!
Fourth Inning: The Blue Demons make a bunch of changes including pitcher Lindsey Dean for starter Becca Heteniak. In an odder move, they pull catcher Jackie Tarulli-Fisher in the middle of an at bat. Sign of a desperate team?
Fifth Inning: DePaul not going away that easily. A lead-off walk and single threatens NU again. A sacrifice bunt puts two runners in scoring position with the meat of the lineup coming to the plate. Delaney gets big hitter Sandy Vojik to strike out looking.
But Tarulli-Fisher comes up big with a two-run single to center field. NU played with fire all game and DePaul finally made the team pay. Tie game now entering the final two and a half innings.
Sixth Inning: Delaney retires the Blue Demons in order for the first time today. But the Cats cannot get anything going in the bottom. The game remains tied at two entering the final inning of regulation.
Seventh Inning: Leadoff runner Amber Patton reaches third on a close stolen base. Heteniak gave up NU's two runs as the pitcher, but she gave DePaul the run it needed to take the lead. She singles back up the middle to give the Blue Demons the lead.
The Cats have Darcy Sengewald, Jordan Wheeler and Tammy Williams due up to try and make the comeback.
Wheeler makes it to third base thanks to som clutch small-ball hitting. But NU needed the big bats. Heteniak comes back in as the pitcher and strikes out Nicole Pauly to end the inning. DePaul holds on for a 3-2 win, forcing a decisive game three.
Expect the same faces on all sides for this one in what should promise to be an exciting conclusion to the Evanston Regional of the NCAA Tournament.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Softball: Northwestern vs. Western Illinois LIVE BLOG
It is a beautiful day at Sharon J. Drysdale Field. The typical 40 degree playoff weather has given way to a beautiful 70 degree day. The unusual May weather may take the Wildcats out of their usual routine. The lineups are being introduced as Northwestern prepares to take on Western Illinois.
A little bit about Western Illinois: the Westerwinds are 14-31 and made the tournament by winning the Summit League tournament title. Western Illinois has two good hitters in Collen Biebel (.314 batting average) and Smantha Valentine (.420 average). Lor Pankratz is in the circle. She has a 8-12 record and a 3.30 ERA.
The Cats defeated the Westerwinds 8-0 in five innings March 2. Things may not be much different this time around.
First Inning: Lauren Delaney gets three strikeouts, but the Cats go down quietly. NU has not gotten off to good starts lately. The second time around has been the big innings for the team. Good early news though, both Tammy Williams and Michelle Batts hit the ball out deep to right field. Could be a sign of things to come...
Second Inning: ... and how about now. Nicole Pauly takes the second pitch of the inning over the left-center field wall for her team-leading 14th home run and NU goes ahead 1-0. It at least guarantees Western Illinois is going to have to get one run off of the Big Ten pitcher of the year. Delaney has a 1.57 ERA this year, so the Westerwinds have their work cut out for them.
In other news, Kelly Quinn fouls a pitch down the first base line and hits associate head coach Caryl Drohan. She is OK though as Western Illinois contains the damage.
Third Inning: for those who are curious what is a Westerwind... no one is quite sure. But those even more curious will find that Western Illinois is not always the Westerwinds. The men's teams are the Leathernecks and all the women's teams are Westerwinds. There is your aha moment of the day.
Other fun tidbits found on Wikipedia. The school got special permission from the Marines to use their bulldog logo. Not quite Oregon getting permission from Disney to use Donald Duck.
Oh, Delaney got three more strikeouts in that inning bringing her total to seven in three innings.
Fourth Inning: Michelle Batts decided to join the party too. The freshman lined an easy swing over the left-center field wall for a 2-0 lead. NU has a pair of solo home runs... make that three as Pauly hits her second of the day, this one to right field, following Batts' blast. Three solo shots give the Cats a three-run lead. That may be enough with the way Delaney is pitching.
Fifth Inning: the NU outfield gives a rousing rendition of Y-M-C-A as the team digs in for an important fifth inning. The Westerwinds look like they might be making a pitching change and the bats are starting to come alive. The pitching and defense could decide whether this game continues much further.
And Delaney did not start it off well. Her first pitch hits Michelle Neubauer in the mask of her helmet and she takes her base. But Western Illinois cannot get any consistent hitting against NU's hurler. The Westerwinds are having difficulties getting bunts down in fair territory to move the runners they do get and nothing is leaving the infield. The sophomore added two more strikeouts this inning, bringing her total to 11.
Batts adds two more on the board with a two-RBI double and the rout appears to be on with Erin Dyer at the plate and runners at first and second.
Erin nearly ends the game with a three-run blast, but the left fielder catches it at the wall. Let's see what her sister can do...
Kelly does not do too bad. She lines one into center field and plates one to bring the lead to six.
Sixth Inning: Western Illinois may have found its key to success. Colleen Biebel leads off the inning with a passed ball strikeout. It really is a win-win situation. Delaney gets her strikeout and the Westerwinds get the satisfaction of putting a runner on base.
Western Illinois threatens by putting its leadoff hitters on first and second, but NU turns a rare double play to get out of the inning with the shutout still intact.
Tammy Williams continues to struggle this postseason. She is 0-for-4 with a run (reaching on a fielder's choice). The Top-10 finalist for the national player of the year is really struggling this postseason. Her average dipped dramatically from the .480s to the .460s during the Big Ten tournament and her performance today is not helping much either.
Seventh Inning: Delaney sits Western Illinois quickly with two strikeouts in the seventh and NU moves on in the winner's brackets.
Delaney struck out 14 batters and gave up just one hit in earning her fourth straight postseason shutout. Michelle Batts went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and Nicole Pauly was 2-for-2 with two solo home runs.
NU moves on to play rival DePaul, who defeated Drake earlier in the day, tomorrow at 11 a.m.
The Cats were focused completely on themselves after the game as they prepare for a rematch with the Blue Demons. DePaul defeated NU 5-3 in five innings April 29. The game was shortened by darkness. Neither team pitched their aces.
"For a team, I think its just playing good softball how we know, like we have always done," Batts said. "I think that we're our own worst enemies. If we just relax and take care of business, it will be easy."
A little bit about Western Illinois: the Westerwinds are 14-31 and made the tournament by winning the Summit League tournament title. Western Illinois has two good hitters in Collen Biebel (.314 batting average) and Smantha Valentine (.420 average). Lor Pankratz is in the circle. She has a 8-12 record and a 3.30 ERA.
The Cats defeated the Westerwinds 8-0 in five innings March 2. Things may not be much different this time around.
First Inning: Lauren Delaney gets three strikeouts, but the Cats go down quietly. NU has not gotten off to good starts lately. The second time around has been the big innings for the team. Good early news though, both Tammy Williams and Michelle Batts hit the ball out deep to right field. Could be a sign of things to come...
Second Inning: ... and how about now. Nicole Pauly takes the second pitch of the inning over the left-center field wall for her team-leading 14th home run and NU goes ahead 1-0. It at least guarantees Western Illinois is going to have to get one run off of the Big Ten pitcher of the year. Delaney has a 1.57 ERA this year, so the Westerwinds have their work cut out for them.
In other news, Kelly Quinn fouls a pitch down the first base line and hits associate head coach Caryl Drohan. She is OK though as Western Illinois contains the damage.
Third Inning: for those who are curious what is a Westerwind... no one is quite sure. But those even more curious will find that Western Illinois is not always the Westerwinds. The men's teams are the Leathernecks and all the women's teams are Westerwinds. There is your aha moment of the day.
Other fun tidbits found on Wikipedia. The school got special permission from the Marines to use their bulldog logo. Not quite Oregon getting permission from Disney to use Donald Duck.
Oh, Delaney got three more strikeouts in that inning bringing her total to seven in three innings.
Fourth Inning: Michelle Batts decided to join the party too. The freshman lined an easy swing over the left-center field wall for a 2-0 lead. NU has a pair of solo home runs... make that three as Pauly hits her second of the day, this one to right field, following Batts' blast. Three solo shots give the Cats a three-run lead. That may be enough with the way Delaney is pitching.
Fifth Inning: the NU outfield gives a rousing rendition of Y-M-C-A as the team digs in for an important fifth inning. The Westerwinds look like they might be making a pitching change and the bats are starting to come alive. The pitching and defense could decide whether this game continues much further.
And Delaney did not start it off well. Her first pitch hits Michelle Neubauer in the mask of her helmet and she takes her base. But Western Illinois cannot get any consistent hitting against NU's hurler. The Westerwinds are having difficulties getting bunts down in fair territory to move the runners they do get and nothing is leaving the infield. The sophomore added two more strikeouts this inning, bringing her total to 11.
Batts adds two more on the board with a two-RBI double and the rout appears to be on with Erin Dyer at the plate and runners at first and second.
Erin nearly ends the game with a three-run blast, but the left fielder catches it at the wall. Let's see what her sister can do...
Kelly does not do too bad. She lines one into center field and plates one to bring the lead to six.
Sixth Inning: Western Illinois may have found its key to success. Colleen Biebel leads off the inning with a passed ball strikeout. It really is a win-win situation. Delaney gets her strikeout and the Westerwinds get the satisfaction of putting a runner on base.
Western Illinois threatens by putting its leadoff hitters on first and second, but NU turns a rare double play to get out of the inning with the shutout still intact.
Tammy Williams continues to struggle this postseason. She is 0-for-4 with a run (reaching on a fielder's choice). The Top-10 finalist for the national player of the year is really struggling this postseason. Her average dipped dramatically from the .480s to the .460s during the Big Ten tournament and her performance today is not helping much either.
Seventh Inning: Delaney sits Western Illinois quickly with two strikeouts in the seventh and NU moves on in the winner's brackets.
Delaney struck out 14 batters and gave up just one hit in earning her fourth straight postseason shutout. Michelle Batts went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and Nicole Pauly was 2-for-2 with two solo home runs.
NU moves on to play rival DePaul, who defeated Drake earlier in the day, tomorrow at 11 a.m.
The Cats were focused completely on themselves after the game as they prepare for a rematch with the Blue Demons. DePaul defeated NU 5-3 in five innings April 29. The game was shortened by darkness. Neither team pitched their aces.
"For a team, I think its just playing good softball how we know, like we have always done," Batts said. "I think that we're our own worst enemies. If we just relax and take care of business, it will be easy."
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