Mudcats Survive Battle with the Bulls

April 23, 2009

First Pitch at 5:42 PM

Weather perfect for baseball

The Mudcats prevailed in their toughest game of the season to date, moving to a league leading regular season record of 8 wins and no losses. The boys currently hold a game and a half advantage over the second ranked Bees, at 6 and 1.

Top of the 1st, Mudcats posted 3 runs on 4 hits. Ryan beat out an infield hit, Joseph knocked a shot through the shortstop, Matt reached on a fielder’s choice, and then Cade tripled, scoring Joseph and Matt. Bags hustled one out while Cade scored. Luke followed up with a shot to left, but would be left stranded along with Bags.

In the bottom half the Bulls got 2 runs back. Ryan connected with Joseph on a 6-3 for the first out. The next double was nearly an out on a great back-up play by Jacob in center. Joseph hauled in a soft liner for the second out. No defense could stop the 2-run homer before the inning would end, Mudcats up 3 runs to 2.

Top of the 2nd, Jacob led off with an infield hit, Tyler traded spots with Jacob on a fielder’s choice, then Leyton traded spots with Jacob and yet another FC. Jacob Mitchell smacked one to short for a 6-4. The Mudcats posted no runs in the 2nd.

In the bottom of the frame Luke hung on to a 3rd strike foul tip to record the first out. The Bulls helped out with a second K; then a single, and then a 5-4 from Matt to Cade to finish off the inning, Mudcats hanging on to their 1 run advantage.

Andrew led off the top of the third with a single up the middle. Dane traded out with Andrew on an FC. Ryan then smoked one past short, moving Dane to 2nd. Joseph then hit a rocket up the middle that nearly ended the life of Coach Vaughn, who took a minute to regain composure after the fly by. The bases were loaded for Matt, who proceeded to hit a line shot to the left gap, clearing the bases for two bags. Cade traded places with Matt on a double of his own, a shot to center. Bags hustled to first, and would stay there, along with Cade on second. Inning ended with 4 runs scored.

In the bottom of the third, the Bulls came right back, scoring 2. It was a rocky inning, starting off with two on and none out for the Bulls. A 6-4 DP with Ryan getting the tag and then tossing it to Cade for the force at second changed the complexion of the inning, now 1 runner on and 2 out. But the Bulls would then stage a 2-out rally, with a double, single, and single. Luke would end the inning on a fantastic catch coming from behind the plate, mask off quick, and making a basket catch half way to the pitcher’s mound. After three, Mudcats held the advantage, 7 runs to 4.

Jacob led off the top of the fourth with an infield single. Then the FC trades took place, first Tyler for Jacob, then Leyton for Tyler. Then Jacob Mitchell hit into a 5-4.

In the bottom half, the Bulls inched 1 run closer, starting with a leadoff single. Jacob connected with Joseph on a 1-3 for the first out, runner going to second. The next hit got past second, and Andrew came up with the back-up, getting the ball in quick to hold the runner at first, but the runner from second scored on the play. Another single gave the Bulls 1st and 2nd with 1 out and 1 run already in. The Mudcats would get out on a P4 by Cade and then a classic 6-3 Ryan to Joseph. After 4, Mudcats led 7 runs to 5.

Andrew led off the top of the 5th with another shot up the middle, this one snagged by the pitcher for a 1-3. Dane hit a line shot to left center for a double. Ryan then hit a much needed line-drive homer for 2 insurance runs. But the inning wasn’t over. Joseph doubled to left, then Matt singled to center, scoring Joseph. Cade singled to center, moving Matt to second. Bags reached on a FC and Luke cranked one to short for a 6-3. 3 runs scored for the Mudcats.

The next three half innings were critical for the Mudcats, with only the top of the 6th and bottom order batters remaining, while the Bulls had their full lineup ahead of them, and 6 outs to play with. Bottom of the 5th, the Bulls last batter reached on a single. The top of the order batter then K’d, helping the cause. A P3 to Joseph left the Bulls with 1 on and 1 out, but they staged another 2-out rally, scoring 2 runs on a single and a double. An F4 to Cade ended the run, Mudcats hanging on to a 10 to 7 advantage.

Adam led off the top of the 6th with a line drive smash toward right center, only to have it hauled in by a spectacular catch at 2nd. After an F5 by Jacob, the Mudcats tried to stage a 2-out rally, with infield singles by both Tyler and Leyton. Jacob Mitchell then hit one towards 3rd, and it was trouble…, but the Bulls 3B made a great unassisted play, diving back to the bag to escape the inning with no runs scored.

Bottom of the 6th, the Mudcats were hanging on to their 3 run lead, and the Bulls led off with a single. A pop to short caught by Ryan was out 1, followed by another Bulls K. A single put runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 outs. Then Cade met Joseph for a 5-3 to end the game, securing the 10 to 7 advantage.

The game ended at 7:13 PM and featured 18 Mudcats hits, but more impressive, 0 Mudcats Ks. A close one, but good one for the boys on a great night for baseball.