Mudcats Out on Time

May 6, 2009 – First Pitch at 5:44 PM – Weather was Humid

The Mudcats (11-0-1) played their tightest game of the season to date, ending in a 7 to 7 tie in extra innings to the Bats (4-7-1). The boys staged a bottom of the 6th come from behind run to force extra innings and preserve their undefeated season, but ran into a time limit before a victor could be decided.

Top of the 1st, fielding errors and solid hitting by the Bats, including two singles would score 2 for the Bats, giving them the early advantage. The outs came on a 6-4 from Ryan to Cade after a muffed infield pop, a 4-6 between the two again, and then a nice basket catch in center by Leyton to end the half.

The Mudcats rallied back in the bottom half to take the lead. Dane led off with a sharp single to left center. Ryan followed with a single, as did Joseph, loading the bases for Matt. He followed with a 2-RBI single to left, scoring Dane and Ryan. Bags then singled, scoring Joseph from 2nd, and then Luke added one more, scoring Matt. A 1-3 double-play ended the run earlier than expected, but the Mudcats came out of 1 inning up 2 runs to 4.

The boys held their lead in the second, getting two quick outs on an L1 to Bags and then a 4-3 between Cade and Joseph. After couple of base hits, the Bats were threatening with runners on 1st and 3rd with 2-down, but a 6-3 from Ryan to Jospeph (nice scoop!) ended the half.

The Mudcats failed to capitalize in the second with only two base hits, one by Jacob, beating out the shortstops throw, and one by Andrew, a line drive to center field. After 2, the score remained Bats 2, Mudcats 4.

In the 3rd, the Bats took back the lead scoring 3. The leadoff batter hit into a Ryan to Joseph 6-3. Then an infield miscue allowed a runner on. The next hit was knocked down by a diving Ryan, but the Bats now had runners on 1st and 2nd with only 1 out. A second error allowed the lead runner to score, and now it ws 2nd and 3rd with 1 out. A base hit scored the 2 runs. Then back to back 4-3 putouts from Cade to Joseph ended the half inning, Bats leading 5 runs to 4.

The Mudcats tied it up quickly with a leadoff HR by Dane, clearing the Moe’s sign. Ryan the hustled his way to 1st, followed by a 1-3 from Joseph, moving him to 2nd. A single by Matt scored Ryan, but the inning would end abruptly on the second 1-3 double play against the Mudcats in the 3 innings played. After 3 the Mudcats were up just 1 run, 5 runs to 6.

Great defense by the Mudcats in the 4th, including a 4-3 from Cade to Joseph, then a base hit, then a 5-4 FC from Matt to Cade, and then a P6 to Ryan. Bottom of the 4th, ‘Cats did just the same, sending just 4 players to the plate, the only hit being a line drive down the proprietary Mudcats 3rd base line by Luke. After 4, still Bats 5, Mudcats 6.

Top of the 5th was the best defensive inning by the Mudcats who put the Bats down in order on an L5 (nice grab by Matt), then a P6 to Ryan, and then a 4-3 from Cade to Joseph getting the whole infield in on the inning.

Tyler got robbed of a base hit on a fantastic defensive 1-3 by the Bats. Then Leyton would get a nice hit in the bottom of the 5th, and Andrew reached on a 5-4 FC. Jacob Mitchell absolutely smashed one, only to have it go into the scorecard as an L6. After 5, still Mudcats by 1, 5 runs to 6.

Top of the 6th and top of the order for the Bats. It was looking good at first when they helped out with a K. But after a pair of singles and some throwing errors, a runs scored, and the Mudcats were looking at a 6 to 6 tie with a runner on 3rd and just 1 out. The next batter hit a fly ball to RC that Adam caught and got to the infield quickly, the play at the plate was close, but safe, and the sac fly gave the Bats a 1 run advantage in the final frame. After another base hit and then error, the Bats were threatening again, runners on 1st and 2nd with 2 out. A P6 hauled in confidently by Ryan finally ended the run.

For the first time this season, the Mudcats found themselves losing heading into the bottom of the 6th inning. With the pressure of their 1st loss on the line, the boys responded with confidence. Dane led off with another proprietary 3rd base liner for 2 bags. Ryan would hustle for an infield hit, now 1st and 2nd with none out. Joseph reached on a 6-5 FC. Then Matt squeaked one out for a single, loading the bases with 1-down. Cade came through with a clutch sac fly to tie the game and preserve the Mudcats undefeated season. Another great 1-3 by the Bats, and the boys were headed to extra innings all knotted up at 7.

The team showed great confidence again in the 7th. After a leadoff single, Ryan made a great catch for the 1st out. Then on a would-be single to left-center Dane made a heads up play to get the force out at second. But a pair of base hits would load the bases for the Bats, threatening again. Joseph then made a great snag on a grounder to one with the base runner obstructing his view, for an outstanding 3U to get out of the jam.

Luke led off the bottom of the single burning it up to 1st base for a single. But the next three batters would go down, ending the 7th in a 7 to 7 tie. It was 7:24 and the 1.5-hour time limit had run over for the two teams. Both showed fantastic composure in a game that was played tight throughout.

The Mudcats remain undefeated and are 2 games up on the second place Bees, with 2 regular season games remaining.