April 26: Mudcats at Thunder

After a disappointing loss to the Thunder earlier in the season by 12 runs, the Mudcats were looking to exact some revenge. The Mudcat players had a take no prisoner look in their eyes this evening and were ready to play ball.

Lead off Leyton got things started in the first inning with lead off single. Tyler followed with a single of his own and the Mudcats had things cooking. A couple of more hits and the Mudcats put two on the board to take the early lead. The Thunder came back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. After 1 the score was 2-2.

Ever hear the song "everybody hits everybody scores"? Well the Mudcats must have been singing and listening because the bats came alive in the top half of the second inning. Six singles and two doubles in the inning accounted for eight hits and five runs. After 2 the score was 7-2.

J-Mac started the hitting off in the third with a single followed by Zach, Luke, Smiley, and Ben all with singles of their own. The Mudcats were only able to plate one run but the defense held and after 3 the score was 8-2.

After a couple of quick outs, Leyton came up with a big hit for a single and then Tyler came to the plate. A shot down the left field line that made everyone in the stands stand up to try and get a better look. The ball landed just a few feet short of the fence and this was by far the closest that any Mudcat came to an over the fence home run this season. The hit scored Leyton and brought Sticks up to the plate with a runner in scoring position. Sticks singled in Tyler for the second run of the inning. The Thunder came up in the fourth knowing they had to score some runs and their bats finally started to catch fire. Luke had a couple of nice plays at third, one on a pop up and the other on a grounder. The grounder forced Luke to show his range to his left before coming up with a nice throw over to first. Christopher ended the inning with a solid play on a ground ball at second base. After 4 the score was 10-7.

The Mudcats were held scoreless in the fifth where some great hustle was shown by Luke. J-Mac hit a single into center field which was charged and thrown into second very quickly. Luke was at first and ran as fast as he could make a text book feet first slide into second to beat the throw. With the Mudcats going scoreless the Thunder smelled blood in the water and started the inning with five singles in a row scoring the tying run. The next batter hit one right back up the middle causing the pitching coach to duck out of the way, Luke made a great reaction play on the ball making the out at first. With a runner on second, a ground ball to J-Mac where he forced the runner out of the baseline and almost doubled up at first base. It was a bang bang play and the runner and the ball met and it was knocked out of Adams glove. Not to fear, Tyler makes a force out at third to end the inning. After 5 the score was 10-11.

The Mudcats entered the sixth down by one run and down to their last three outs. Christopher hit a ground ball and ran as fast as he could but was thrown out for the first out. Anthony hit a sharp ground ball down the third base line that could not be handled and safe at first was the tying run. Gabe hits a ball just over the pitchers head that somehow the shortstop managed to make a shoe string catch on. You could hear the Mudcat first base coach, "GO" ,"STOP","BACK" with Anthony making a head first dive back to the bag. Leyton hits a single moving runners to first and second. Tyler hits a pitching wedge shot about three feet in front of home plate that had so much backspin on it, that when the catcher dove to try and make the play it spun back and touched him in fair territory. Bases loaded and Sticks comes to bat and what an at bat it would be. Sticks hit the ball over the shortstops head scoring Anthony and Leyton, and when the outfield did not get the ball in Coach Joe had Tyler on the move. The hit scored three runs giving the Mudcats the lead.

The bottom of the sixth and the Mudcats lead by two. Going for there second win of the season Coach Andrew rallied the troops together making changes to the defense at the last second. He wanted the right people in the right spots for this crucial three outs. Things started off good with a ground ball to Sticks at third for a nice clean play and one out. The next batter hits a hard ground ball to Anthony at second that bounced up on him, knocking it down with his chest and making the play at first things were looking good. A single passed short led to the first base runner. The next batter hit a line drive to right center that went in and out of the glove moving the runners to first and third. A throw into the dugout on the following ground ball made things really interesting because it scored a run and had runners on second and third with one of the Thunders big hitter up. The crack of the bat and the ball went flying out to center field where Zach made the catch of the night ending the game. Zach and all the rest of the players sprinted toward the third base dugout like they had just won the world series. The crowd went wild with cheers and the Mudcats won 13-12.

After the game every one was very excited. Ben, Luke, and Zach all received stickers for their play in the game. The players all looked and felt great as they listened to Coach Andrew tell them all the things they had accomplished during the game.

The Thunder were in second place witch proves that this Mudcat team can play with anyone in the league and a little confidence may go a long way for them. This win will be remembered for many games to come.

On three MUDCATS!

Write-up by Frank
Pictures by Tonya

April 24: Scrappers at Mudcats

It's Saturday morning and time for baseball. The Mudcats are playing the number one team in the league and are ready for the challenge. The last time these two teams met it was the Scrappers who came out on top of a one run game 11 - 10.

The Mudcats came out changing the infield up. Charley Hustle made his debut at pitcher. The Mudcats gave up three runs to start off in the top of the first inning and were ready for some runs of there own in the bottom. Tyler got things going with a double that turned into a triple with some heads up base running. Sticks came through with an RBI single for the first Mudcat run of the game. Adam also had a single but was stranded and after one the score was 3-1.

In the second Smiley and Tyler turned ground balls into outs with the help of a leaping catch at first by Adam. The Scrappers did manage to plate one run on a couple of hits. The Mudcats went three up and three down. After 2 the score was 4-1.

Three more runs were scored in the top of the third. Luke caught an infield pop up at pitcher and Sticks and Anthony connected for a force out at second. Gabe started the action with a single. Leyton and Tyler both followed with singles of there own. Bases loaded for Sticks who came threw in the clutch with a 2 RBI single of his own. After 3 the score was 6-3.

The Mudcats were flashing some leather in the top half of the fourth inning. Sticks handled a sharply hit ball at short and tossed it to second for the force. Anthony caught a high pop up at second base. The play of the inning went to Adam, on a weak hit pop up halfway between home and first Adam came charging in to make a sliding catch of the ball. No runs scored by either team with the Mudcats managing only a single by Luke in the bottom of the inning. After 4 the score was 6-3.

A couple of routine ground balls in the infield did the Scrappers in the top of the fifth and it looked like the Mudcats might capitalize on the opportunity. But only a single by Smiley and another scoreless inning by both teams. After 5 the score was 6-3.

The Scrappers opened things up in the sixth with hit after hit leading to four runs scored. Tyler tried to get things going with a sharply hit single. The Mudcats were not able to score any runs though and were not able to mount a comeback. Final score was 10-3.

After the game coach Andrew reminded the players to concentrate on "form and focus". He congratulated the team on hitting the ball hard all day and the great defensive effort. It was a well played game and sometimes you just hit the ball right at the other team all day, a couple of feet to one side or the other and a lot of those outs were hits and things might of wound up differently. You can see the determination and fire in the players eyes and they can't wait until Monday nights game.

On three MUDCATS!

Write-up by Frank
Pictures by Tonya

April 26: At Thunder

Great win by the Mudcats! Check out the pictures from tonight's hard fought game. Come back soon for the 13-12 game recap. 

Pictures by Tonya

April 14: Bees at Mudcats

It was a cold, windy overcast Wednesday evening. The Mudcats were ready to swing their bats after a great batting practice the night before. Down one umpire the game started three minutes ahead of schedule.

The top of the first inning Charley had a near catch in left field. Smiley did a great job backing him up and getting the quick throw into 2^nd. Bees scored one. Luke showed he was ready to get the outs started by grabbing a pop up at pitcher for the first out of the inning. Continuing the trend Luke grabbed a one hopper, throwing to Adam at first for the second out. Zach wanting to get in on the action grabbed the third out of the inning in centerfield. End of the top of one score Bees 1, Mudcats 0.

The bottom of the first the Mudcats remembered to wear their hitting shoes (Thanks to Coach Joe for the reminder!). Lead-off Leyton got the Mudcats started with a nice rip to the outfield. T-Rex hit towards 2^nd base, advancing Leyton to 2^nd. Sticks had a bomb to left field making it to 2^nd and scoring Leyton and advancing T-Rex to 3^rd. Adam hit to towards 2^nd making the second baseman jump up to nab the ball before it made it to the outfield and catching Sticks off second base. J-Mac was not ready to close the inning out. He hit to the right field scoring T-Rex. Zach had a hard hit single advancing J-Mac to 2^nd.Luke singled to load the bases. Chris ripped one to the second baseman for the last out of the inning. End of the first Bees 1, Mudcats 2.

The top of the second inning a ball to the dug out advanced the first Bees batter to second. Luke continued his solid play at pitcher with a caught pop up for the first out of the inning. Chris to Adam for the second out while the Bees runner scored. A Luke to Adam finished the inning stranding Bees on 2^nd and 3^rd.

The bottom of the second was quick. Three up, three down even with solid swings from Smiley, Charley, and Ben. After two Bees 1, Mudcats 2.

The third inning Leyton hustled to grab a foul ball by the left line for the first out of the inning. With a few miss throws, lack of focus and hustle on the in field Coach Andrew called a meeting at the pitchers mound to refocus the team. This seemed to settle the team down and Luke grabbed the second out in the outfield. The ball was slow to get in to the infield for time to be called resulting in the Bees scoring a run. Smiley ended the inning with a catch at pitcher and tagging the runner going to first. Bees 3, Mudcats 2.

The bottom of the third Gabe was thrown out at first. Leyton hit one down the third base line to making it safe to first. T-Rex singled and the Bees got the force at 2^nd. Sticks battled a full count, fought off the 7 pitch to finally hit right to third base and the Bees once again got the out at second. After three innings Bees 3, Mudcats 2.

The fourth inning started with an out at second by Chris. Followed by a long throw from the out field from Ben to J-Mac for the out at second. Another Bee scored before Adam got the last out at first from Smiley.

The bottom of the fourth started with Adam at the plate. He singled from a hit to center. J-Mac moved Adam to second but was out at first. Zach doubled to right center scoring Adam. Luke singled and moved Zach to third. Chris hit a sacrifice fly that scored Zach.  Smiley had a long at bat working hard to stay at the plate for a good pitch. Unfortunately, Coach Andrew will take that out for his 11^th pitch to Smiley was junk. After four it was all tied up Bees 4, Mudcats 4.

The top of the fifth started very slow on defense for the Mudcats allowing one run before J-Mac was able to grab a ball and tag the runner for the first out. Tyler fielded a ball well to throw to J-Mac at second base for the force out. However, another Bee run scored. The last out of the inning came from J-Mac at short to Tyler at second base.

The bottom of the fifth started with the Mudcats wanting to unleash their bats. Charley started off with a hard hit ball right to the shortstop for the first out. Ben then singled. Gabe singled. Leyton continued the single trend to load the bases. T-Rex scored Ben and Gabe. With Leyton on third Sticks hit was caught by a running shortstop. Adam singled scoring Leyton and moving T-Rex to second. J-Mac singled to score T-Rex and move Adam. The inning ended with a strike out. Bees 6, Mudcats 8.

The top of the sixth the Bees were motivated to not go down with out a fight. Former Mudcat Evan doubled. The first out came at first base. Evan scored before the second out could be made at first. Fall Mudcat Colby hit a bomb to left field and would eventually score, tying the game.  A grounder to third was the last out of the inning as Sticks made the play and throw to Adam.  It was knotted at 8 going into the bottom of six.

The Mudcats were not going to settle for a tie. Luke started the bottom of the sixth with a hit to the shortstop which was caught by the third baseman. Chris singled. Smiley moved Chris but was out at first. So with two outs and a runner on second Charley singled and hustled to first. With runners now on first and third Ben came to the plate, he out ran the throw to first to score Chris winning the game for the Mudcats. At the end of six Bees 8, Mudcats 9.

The Mudcats where excited to get the first win of the season. The Coaches noted the win was possible because no one gave up and the boys battled all game. To celebrate an Amedeo’s dinner was in order.

Mudcats take the field next Saturday, April 17 hoping to build on this victory.

Write-up by Jenn
Pictures by Tonya and Scott

Team Event #1:NCSU at UNC

The Mudcats enjoyed a sunny Sunday, April 11th at the Bosh on the UNC campus. After the game the team took the field to run the bases.

Pictures by Tonya

April 10: Mudcats at Bats

After the Mudcats produced thirteen runs on Monday night, the boys (and their coaches) were hoping our bats were still hot for today’s game against the Bats.

Lead-off Leyton started with a hard hit up the middle, but a terrific play by the Bats fielder and a very close play at first base led to the first out. T-Rex followed with a grounder to second for the second out. Adam showed off his hitting skills with a nice hit into the outfield, but was thrown out at second when he tried to stretch a single into a double. Great hustle shown by the Mudcats in the first inning kept the boy’s spirits running high.

The Bats started off the bottom of the first inning with a single to right field. A towering fly ball caught by J-Mac produced out #1 and held the runner at first base. The Bats’ next batter hit a long fly ball to left field that hit the fence. Charley hustled to the ball and threw it into J-Mac to hold the runners at second and third. With two runners in scoring position, Elmo hit a bullet that was heading into left center field. J-Mac got a little dirty, but when the dust settled he’d caught the ball for the second out and held the runners. The next batter’s ground ball to second looked like it may end the inning scoreless, but an error gave the Bats two runs before the inning came to a close. At the end of one inning the score was Bats 2 – Mudcats 0.

Sticks hit a hard single to left field to start the second inning. J-Mac followed with a slow motion infield single down the third base line. He was standing on first base before the Bats third baseman got to the ball. Zach hit into a fielders choice that retired J-Mac for the first out of the inning, moving Sticks to third. Smiley’s grounder to second was looking like a 6-4-3 double play, but he beat the throw to first and Sticks scores!

In the bottom of the second the Bat’s hit a blooper over second base for a lead-off single. Their second batter hit into a 6-4 (J-Mac to Tyler) fielders choice for out #1. An error on the next infield grounder gave the Bats runners on the corners. Adam got the next batter out at first and fired a throw to J-Mac that took his glove off. In a style perfected by Christopher, he caught his glove and tagged the runner to end the inning. Unfortunately, another runner scored from third before the double play was completed. At the end of two innings the score was Bats 3 – Mudcats 1.

Charley stared the third inning with a hard hit single, but was forced out at second on Luke grounder to shortstop. Christopher flew out to the second baseman, who doubled Luke off of first to end the inning.

In the bottom of the third the Bats brought seven batters to the plate and scored two runs before Smiley ended the inning with a sliding catch down the first base line. After three innings; Bats 5 – Mudcats 1.

After the first two Mudcats were retired to start the fourth, T-Rex hit a hot grounder past short and Adam’s grounder had eyes to find a hole between the pitcher and second baseman. Two on, two out. But the rally and the inning ended with both runners left on base.

The Bats picked up two more in the bottom of the fourth. The defensive highlight for the Mudcats came when J-Mac caught a fly ball at short and fired the ball over to Adam at first base to catch the runner off base. A looooooong stretch by Adam gave the ‘cats our second double play of the game! After four innings; Bats 7 – Mudcats 1.

J-Mac started the fifth inning out right, beating out a grounder to short, but the next three batters went down in order.

A 1-2-3 out bottom of the fifth sent the Bats away scoreless for the inning, but holding onto their lead; Bats 7 – Mudcats 1.

The Mudcats need to find six runs in the sixth inning to take this one from the Bats. Charley hit a HOT grounder that was bobbled by the first baseman who ran it down and sprinted to the bag for the first out. Luke’s infield pop-up caused a collision between the Bats’ third baseman and pitcher. The rally caps came out as Luke stood safe at first. Christopher hit a hard grounder that was juggled at short, and Luke beat the throw to second, then advanced to third when the shortstop’s throw went into right field. The comeback ended when the next two batters were retired in order. Final score Bats 7 – Mudcats 1.

After the game Coach Andrew commented that the Mudcats played exceptionally well on defense (fewest runs allowed this spring). We hit the ball well and hustled. All of the Mudcats players should be proud of themselves for their efforts today against the Bats. If we keep playing like we did today, we are going to have some fun and win some games!

Write-up by Tom
Pictures by Tonya and Scott

Meet the Mudcats: Jacob "J Mac" Maciejewski

The second Mudcat we are going to meet this season is Jacob Maciejewski. Jacob is the shortstop for the Mudcats and is always making it look so easy out there. Now lets get to know Jacob.

Where were you born?
Raleigh, NC

Where do you attend school?
Morrisville Elementry

What is your favorite subject?
Science

Do you have any siblings?
Yes an older brother named Josh

Does Josh play baseball?
Yes

Who is better?
Immediate answer: ME!

How did you get your nickname J Mac?
Not sure, I just have a long last name.

What is your favorite baseball team?
Yankees

Who is your favorite player?
Jeter

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Baseball player

Where do you want to go most on vacation?
Disney World

My thanks to J Mac for taking the time to allow us to get to know him.

April 5: Bulls at Mudcats

It was a good night for baseball, and a great night if you were a Claritin salesman, as there was pollen everywhere and on everything. Spring is definitely here, and other than the pollen, the weather was beautiful for playing ball.

The Mudcats have been struggling up to this point in the season and were hoping things will turn around tonight. There have been signs of greatness shown by the players, just not for six innings in a row. If the Mudcats are going to beat the Bulls tonight they would have to bring there "A" game all night long.

Things got off to the wrong start for the Mudcats and nothing seemed to go right for the first three innings. In fact you know things are going wrong when one of the teams runs off the field with only two outs, we will give the Bulls the credit for that one. After 3 the score was 14-0.

The fourth started out rough with a lead off Home Run by the Bulls, and not a single with a bunch of throwing errors, a real over the fence long ball. The nice thing about that was seeing the sportsmanship showed by the Mudcats with some congratulations by the players. Jacob caught a high infield fly to record the first out. The next batter hit a line drive to Center where Tyler was waiting with open glove to make a nice catch. In the bottom Christopher got things started with a single and started a rally for the Mudcats first runs of the game. Leyton, Adam, and Jacob doubled and Sticks had a single which all led to 4 runs in the inning. After 4 the score was 17-4.

The fifth inning was an inning of defense for both sides. Great range shown at second by Anthony to catch a fly ball on the outfield grass behind first base. The Bulls and Mudcats went three up and three down. After 5 the score was 17-4.

The Bulls tried to set the record for singles in the top of the sixth hitting eight of them. Sticks made a great stop at third for a force out and ended the top of the inning. It was a daunting task down by 18 runs but the Mudcats were up to it. Ben got them started with a single and Luke singled right behind him. Charley then hit a double right down the third base line and collected two RBI's. T-rex hit a double of his own traveling all the way too the fence and the Mudcats were in business. Six batters latter Zach hit one hard down the first base line but some problems on the base paths led to the final out. Not before the Mudcats scored eight in the inning which is there strongest offensive output for one inning this season. The final was 22-12.

After the game Coach Andrew wanted to hear from the players. "Was that last inning fun?" There was definitely a spark in the offense with 11 batters coming to the plate. The dugout was alive with the songs and cheering of all the players.

All the player will receive one sticker for their never give up spirit and the sportsmanship that they showed. Anthony will receive a sticker for his catch at second.

In the end the players were happy to run and get their soda and spend some time playing around. Looking forward to the next time they get to play baseball.

On three MUDCATS!

Write-up by Frank
Pictures by Tonya and Scott