Mudcats Swing Flat – Lose to Scrappers

May 26, 2009 – First Pitch at 5:45 PM – Weather was overcast

The Mudcats (15-1-1) played their typically strong offense on Tuesday night. The defensive league leading team allowed an average of 5.4 runs per game during the regular season, and gave up 5 against the Scrappers (14-3). It was the offense that fell short, scoring only 3 runs, off from their league leading 15.6 runs per game regular season average.

The Scrappers came out ready to play, hitting every ball hard in the top of the 1st inning. It was stellar defensive play that held the strong performance by the Scrappers to just 3 runs. The Scrappers led off with 3 singles and a double before a rip down the 3rd base line was snagged by Matt for the 5-3 to Joseph. Then Ryan pulled in a P6 and Cade made an excellent play on a hard hit line to 2nd.

Dane led off the bottom half with a high fly to center for a long single and Matt hit a hard line drive down the 3rd base line into left for a single. Those were the only two hits of the inning as the Mudcats started off down 3 runs to 0.

Top of the 2nd, Mudcats played excellent defense as the Scrappers went down in order. First out came on a 5-3 from Matt to Joseph, then a K, and then a 1-3, where Bags came in hard toward home, made the barehanded pickup and quick throw to Joseph for the out.

Bottom of 2, Mudcats were flat again with only 2 base hits, a line drive up the middle by Luke and another by Jacob. After 2, the score remained 3 to 0 Scrappers.

Top of 3, great defense again by the Mudcats; the first out came on a 6-3 where Ryan had to range far to his right to get the ball, and made an excellent quick-release throw to Joseph in the full stretch. A fielding error allowed 1 runner on, but a P1 by Jacob and a 1-3 from Jacob to Joseph ended the half inning.

Bottom of 3, the Mudcats cut the deficit to 1 after a rally sparked by the bottom of the order. Leyton hit one hard right at the pitcher, who played an exceptional game, and turned the 1-3. Jacob Mitchell then hit a base hit to over the 2nd baseman’s head. Andrew grounded into a 4-3, moving Jacob to 2nd. Dane then doubled to deep left, driving Jacob home, and then Ryan returned the favor, doubling to left-center. After 3 innings the Scrappers were up 3 runs to 2.

Top of the 4th, the Scrappers added 1 on a HR, but otherwise, solid defense for the Mudcats. The first out came on a textbook 6-3 from Ryan to Joseph. After the HR, Cade pulled in out 2 on an F4. Then the Scrappers staged a 2-out rally, with a single followed by a double. A quick throw from Adam in left-center saved the run from scoring. Then with 2nd and 3rd and 2 down, another 6-3 saved the inning with no further damage.

Bottom of 4 was a defining inning for the Scrappers. Matt led off with a deep shot to right-center for 1 base. Then Cade ripped a line drive at the pitcher who made an outstanding catch turn and throw to 1st for the double play, catching Matt off the bag. What could have been a likely 1st and 3rd with none out turned quickly into a none-on, 2-out situation. The inning ended on a P3 with the Scrappers holding onto a 4 to 2 advantage.

Top of 5 the Scrappers added an insurance run. After an error on a pop fly and great hustle the Scrappers led off with a runner on 2nd. An F6 to Ryan was the 1st out. Then after an error, Scrappers had 1st and 2nd with 1 out. Out two came on a high pop fly to center and a great catch by Jacob. The runner, tagging from 2nd to 3rd ended up scoring, as the throw in rolled into the Scrappers’ dugout. A P1 to Bags ended the inning.

Bottom of 5, the Mudcats made a run, but only managed to score 1. Luke led off with a line shot to left-center. Then Adam singled to left center, runners now on 1st and 2nd with none out. Jacob lined one up the middle for an unorthodox fielder’s choice, as the centerfielder made the throw into 2nd for the force. Still, the Mudcats had 1st and 3rd with just 1 out. Tyler got his bat head on the ball and scored Luke as Jacob advanced to 2nd. A fielder’s choice and a 5U later, and the Mudcats were down 5 to 3 after 5.

The Mudcats and Scrappers both had their last batter followed by the top of the order coming up in the 6th, with the Mudcats down by 2. A come from behind win seemed possible, especially after the way the boys played D in the top half. The 1st out came on a P6 to Ryan, and the 2nd on a 3U by Joseph. Then a single for the Scrappers, followed by an attempted double to left-center. Dane came up quick with the throw into 2nd where Cade made the catch and tag for the 3rd out and a great deal of momentum for the Mudcats heading into the bottom half.

Only Dane, who went 3 for 3 on the day would get a base hit, a double to deep left-center. The game ended at 7:00 with the Mudcats suffering their first loss of the spring season. The Scrappers advance to the championship round on Saturday where they will face the winner of the Mudcats and Bulls, who play an elimination game Thursday night at West Raleigh.