The Bats started the game with a hit that rolled to the fence, a nice quick throw into second kept it to only a single. Zach made the first out catching a pop fly in center field. The next two outs were by Adam at first the third coming on a ball in foul territory around the on deck circle forcing him to come sliding in on his knees.
Leyton led off with a single and was followed by a single from Tyler. It looked like things were starting to cook for the Mudcats but a force and then a double play ended things quickly. Things were shaping up for a pitchers duel tonight. After 1 the score was 0-0.
The second started off with sports center highlight number two. In deep right center Leyton caught one over his head that had him laid out on the floor after the great stretch. The Bats did manage one run on three hits in the inning. The Mudcats went quietly in the bottom of the inning. After 2 the score was 1-0.
Four hits in a row started things off for the Bats in the top of the third before a couple of nice defensive plays. The first by Sticks at short who stopped a very hard hit grounder for the force at second. The next was another big fly to center and another big catch by Zach.
The Mudcats cranked the offense up in the third started with a single by Ben. Christopher followed with a single and the Bats started to throw the ball around allowing Ben to score and advanced Christopher to third. Anthony followed with a RBI single down the third base line. Doubles by Tyler and Sticks kept the scoring going. After 3 the score was 3-5.
In the fourth the Bats scored one run but what an ending to the inning it was. On a line drive over the head of J-Mac, some how he managed to time his dive toward left center at the perfect time for the catch. In the bottom we did have a scary moment with a bad hop in the infield. The Bats shortstop took one right on the chin that made every parent there to have a knot in their stomach. He arose from the ground to a cheer from the crowd and the Mudcat players. The Mudcats did score one run in the inning. After 4 the score was 4-6.
The wheels seemed to come off in the fifth where nothing seemed to be going the Mudcats way. J-Mac did come extremely close to turning a double play with a very strong throw to first, but it was not to be and the Mudcats inning. The Bats scored six runs in the inning and put the Mudcats in the hole by four. Charley tried to start things off with a lead off single but the next three batters went in order. After 5 the score was 10-6.
If the Mudcats can hold them they have the top of the lineup coming to bat. Unfortunately that did not happen with the Bats scoring six runs without hitting the ball out of the infield. Three runners were safe by less that two fee and a couple of swinging bunts, which have to be the hardest play to defend, led to all the scoring.
So that was it, the Mudcats went into the bottom half of the sixth down by ten runs. Tyler started off with his third hit of the night. Sticks followed with a RBI double and momentum was starting to build. Adam then hit a RBI single of his own and the lead was shrinking. J-Mac had a single and the Mudcat were down by only seven. Luke came up with one out and J-Mac on base and hit a ground ball to right center and was thrown out at second on a perfect throw by the fielder. Now down by six and with two outs Smiley came up. On another great play by the Bats shortstop he caught a line drive over his head just like J-Mac’s to end the game. Final score was 16-10.
After the game Coach Andrew told the team that is was one of the best games that they had played all year and gave each player a sticker. Stickers were also awarded to Leyton, Zach, Adam, and J-Mac for their outstanding defensive plays during the game.
With the Bats being tied for second in the league the Mudcats gave them a run for there money. Until things came unraveled in the fifth it was a really close game that they could have won. The Mudcats play the Bees next who are one game ahead in the loss column. This looks like a good opportunity for a win.
On three MUDCATS!
Pictures by Tonya
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