Sooners beat hosts Loyola Marymount 6-4 to sweep double header

[Plainosooner]

http://www.wccsports.com/game-center/586e92b4e4b09772fd150e3c/

This was the link to a very low grade tv broadcast of the game online. But it was still fun to watch.

 

[sybarite43]

Thanks to Nicole Mendes: 4 for 4, two doubles, a triple, three runs scored, one RBI, and walked in her fifth at bat.

 

[Plainosooner]

Two freshmen were great again. The same two.

Nicole Mendes, who hardly played before 10 days ago, continued to be on fire in game two. Four for four plus a walk. Infield hit, two doubles, a triple and a base on balls.

And after Paige Lowary struggled to throw strikes again, giving up a 3-1 lead with a walk/homer and then two more walks after the Sooners made it 6-3 to cut the lead to two in B5, Mariah Lopez came in and retired six straight batters for the save. She did give up her only hit of the week in an inning of relief in game one. She's now faced 32 batters this week, retiring 30 and allowing a walk and a hit.

She still hasn't faced the best competition OU has and will face this year, but she clearly looked better in game two today against Loyola, than Lowary, the touted transfer from Mizzou who throws in the high 60's, but not enough strikes.

Caleigh Clifton extended her consecutive games on base streak to 15, and 3b Sydney Romero extended her hitting streak. She also hit her second homer of the season in game one, both this week.

The Sooners will face Cal Poly the next two mornings before wrapping the up the Loyola tournament with DePaul on Saturday afternoon. UCP has a top pitcher, Sierra Hyland (10-5), is expected to pitch tomorrow. She became the all time strike out leader in school history earlier this season and is only the second player in conference history with more than 800 career strike outs.

 

[mcbrider]

Two freshmen were great again. The same two.

Nicole Mendes, who hardly played before 10 days ago, continued to be on fire in game two. Four for four plus a walk. Infield hit, two doubles, a triple and a base on balls.

And after Paige Lowary struggled to throw strikes again, giving up a 3-1 lead with a walk/homer and then two more walks after the Sooners made it 6-3 to cut the lead to two in B5, Mariah Lopez came in and retired six straight batters for the save. She did give up her only hit of the week in an inning of relief in game one. She's now faced 32 batters this week, retiring 30 and allowing a walk and a hit.

She still hasn't faced the best competition OU has and will face this year, but she clearly looked better in game two today against Loyola, than Lowary, the touted transfer from Mizzou who throws in the high 60's, but not enough strikes.

Caleigh Clifton extended her consecutive games on base streak to 15, and 3b Sydney Romero extended her hitting streak. She also hit her second homer of the season in game one, both this week.

The Sooners will face Cal Poly the next two mornings before wrapping the up the Loyola tournament with DePaul on Saturday afternoon. UCP has a top pitcher, Sierra Hyland (10-5), is expected to pitch tomorrow. She became the all time strike out leader in school history earlier this season and is only the second player in conference history with more than 800 career strike outs.

I may be wrong here but several people have told me that Lowary throws on the 70's. No matter if she cannot throw strikes. I am not sure how she did so well at Missouri with what seems to be a real control issue.. she seems to be high in the zone way too much of the time.

 

[sybarite43]

If you look at her record at Missouri, she was untouchable in some games. In others, she would allow several runs. The difference appeared to be control. If she throws strikes, she is difficult to hit.

I tend to agree with Plaino on this shift nonsense. With her type of speed, she should be able to use offspeed pitches as strikeout pitches, especially a change-up. But, you don't dare throw offspeed pitches if you have nobody in left field. Everything has to be designed to keep the ball on the right side---nothing inside or less than full velocity. That can toy with control.

I think Sherri uses it as a ploy to make the opposition think she is faster than she is.