The Mudcats were excited to play host to the purple-wearing, league-leading Bats. Elmo and Co. were too much to handle, both in defense and offense in their previous outing, but the Mudcats were game.
Batting first, the Bats gave themselves a big cushion with a lead of 4 runs. The Bats made hits and advanced runners on aggressive base running.
Usually potent in the 1st inning themselves, the Mudcats had their work to do. Lead-off Leyton was on base, true to form. However, he was injured while sliding into second, hoping to beat the fielder’s choice that was Adam’s grounder. Leyton toughed it out, but the play would prove portentous. The Mudcats ultimately grounded out to end the inning, having done nothing to erase the four-run deficit.
The second half of the line-up for the Bats was less productive, and they ended their campaign scoreless in the 2nd inning.
Smiley beats a throw to first, with a one-out single. Colby, one of the Mudcats’ most dependable hitters, gets on with a shot to left center. Sadly, a pop-up and a grounder end the inning with two Mudcats stranded.
The Bats would not be held scoreless for many innings, and they added to their lead, putting the Mudcats in what would be an intractable lag. With Elmo at the plate, and the bases loaded, the Mudcats gave up three runs, and were down 0-7.
The Mudcats, for their part, were three-up and three-down to end the 3rd inning.
The Cats are tough, as they have proven over the season. The defense does its job, and Jacob "The Beekeeper" makes a double play to retire the Bats.
Coach Scott dons the time-honored and unmistakable “Rally-cap”. Of course, you have to be older than seven years old to recognize it, otherwise it just looks like Adam’s Dad is wearing a broken hat. The parents get it, and they smell a rally. And Rally they did. Lead-off Leyton gets a base hit. T-Rex is on with a fielder’s choice. Sticks brings his “A” game, and gets a two out double, and as many RBIs--the score is 2-7.
The Mudcats are plucky in the 5th inning. The Beekeeper makes a SportsCenter-esque play behind second base for the out. Colby gets plugged in the chest with a chopping ball to center, but gets the ball in time to avoid extra bases. Drew catches a fly ball, and the inning is over with only one run scored; 2-8.
Colby gets it started with a base hit. Coach Joe is wearing the "I’m-not-sure-I-understand-the-thinking-of-the-opposition’s-base-running" hat. Luke hits a grounder, and Colby scores. Tex
The Mudcats curb the Bats in the top of the 6th inning.
The Beekeeper scores two runs with a big hit, and the Mudcats are on the come back trail. But it was not to be, as the inning ended with a score of 5-8.
Write-up by Scott Hart
Pictures by Tonya Proctor
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