March 24: Mudcats at Riverdogs

Well it was finally here, the first game! And out of the third base dugout, the Mudcat bats came out on fire. Leyton led off with one of eight hits in the inning and Adam collected his first double of the season. In the bottom of the inning the Riverdogs started off with a double and tried to go back to back, when a great throw by Ben and a great tag by Jacob made sure that did not happen. The Riverdogs did score a few runs and Jacob ended the inning with a nice play to Sticks at third. After 1 the score was 5-3.

Ben led off the 2nd by smashing a single into left center and eventually scoring the only Mudcat run of the inning. On defense Zack showed some solid play at third base recording two of the three outs holding the Riverdogs to just one run. After 2 the score was 6-4.

A couple of singles by Adam and Jacob, was all the team could muster, as only four batted in the top of the 3rd. In the bottom it was time for the Ben and Jacob show again, where from the right field fence another Riverdog was gunned out going for two. Luke showed some heads up baseball on a grounder up the middle by throwing out the advancing runner from his left center position. After 3 the score was 6-7.

No runs scored in the top of the 4th on a couple of infield singles by Zack and Christopher. The bottom of the inning things began to come apart for the Mudcats allowing several runs to score. Tyler almost made the play of the season at second base diving for a really hard line drive but the ball got away from him this time. Jacob ended the inning catching a line drive of his own but not until after the Riverdogs scored 7. After 4 the score was 6-14.

Leyton collected his third single of the evening and eventually scored giving the Mudcats some life witch carried over the the bottom of the 5th. Where the Mudcats defense held to only four batters and no runs. The inning was ended when Jacob knocked a line drive down with a man on first and fired a throw over to second. Christopher was alertly there for the throw. After 5 the score was 7-14.

Sticks led off the 6th with a nice line drive to left center. It was not enough to overcome the 7 run lead, and the Mudcats fall 7-14 for their first loss of the season.

After the game coach Andrew spoke to the team. "Who had fun today?" Reminding the players that it is not only about winning but also enjoying the game. Coach let them know that the team came out and hit the ball hard early, then seemed to loose focus as the game went on. Stickers were awarded to everyone on the team for working so hard to get ready for this game. Four special stickers were awarded to three players. Ben received two for his two amazing throws from right field. Christopher received one for his heads up play covering second to give Jacob a chance to make an out. Sticks got a sticker but should have gotten a courage badge for taking a grounder off the face. The ball took a bad hop at third and got him. Tough as nails, he did not even shed a tear and got ready for the next pitch.

Great job to all the Mudcat players! See you on opening day.

On three MUDCATS!

Write-up by Frank
Pictures by Tonya