Game 2: Mudcats 14, Lookouts 10

In all three games so far in the fall 2010 season, the Mudcats have trailed after the first inning. Saturday afternoon, however, they flipped the script.

After late comebacks fell short against the Bees in a scrimmage and in the season opener against the Scrappers, the Mudcats made sure no comeback would be needed against the Lookouts by posting an 18-hit attack that featured RBI from eight different hitters and runs scored by 10 different players. Everyone in the lineup reached base at least once. Even Coach Andrew was impressed. "I don't usually give helmet stickers for offensive performances," he said. But Saturday was the exception, as Smiley earned a sticker for his three-run showing that included a double. Drew also earned a sticker for his game that was just one at-bat shy of the cycle--he powered a single, double and triple on his way to driving in three runs.

The big difference against the Lookouts, however, was the production of the middle and bottom of the Mudcat order. The top of the lineup has been fairly consistent throughout the year. On Saturday, the rest of the offense was as hot as they have been all season. Anthony was a big part of that production, as he singled to lead off the four-run second inning--a frame when the bottom of the order generated four crucial two-out runs--and had a two-run triple in the seven-run third (the biggest inning of the season so far). Those two outbursts in the middle of the game brought the Mudcats back from a 5-2 deficit, as they took the lead for the first time in the bottom of the second and then broke the game open in the bottom of the third.

Timely defense arrived just as the bats woke up. Gabe ignited the defense with a shoestring catch in center field with one out in the third. The play--plus a tough job earlier hanging in at the plate when he was playing catcher on a tag play at home--earned Gabe a helmet sticker. Then, in the top of the fourth, Smiley made a pair of sparkling plays at third base, including one backhanded stop down the third-base line that robbed the Lookouts' Keegan of a sure double. Smiley's plays were part of a scoreless Lookout fourth, the third time this year the Mudcats have posted a scoreless inning.

One final helmet sticker was awarded to Big Ben, who took a painful pitch off the kneecap--just above his shin guard--while playing catcher in the fifth inning. He had to leave the game but was able to accept his sticker for toughness with a smile.

The win earned the Mudcats three valuable rewards. The victory officially indoctrinated the squad's new players, and new Mudcats practice jerseys--complete with player numbers on the back--were given to all team members. Then, as Coach Andrew examined the remaining helmet stickers, he mused, "Why would they be cut in two's?" One answer, of course, is that GM Jenn is very prepared. The other reason was shouted by Gabe: "We got our gloves down and ready on every play!" That meant the team had met the post-scrimmage challenge to be baseball-ready on every pitch, even facing an opponent that preferred a slower tempo.

There's a short turnaround before the next practice, as the Mudcats will practice Sunday at noon at West Raleigh. The next game is Tuesday night at 5:30 against the Bees, as the offense will try to continue a hot streak that has seen every player on the roster either score at least one run or drive in at least one run through the first two games.

Saturday's Mudcat scoring plays

First inning
Sticks began the scoring with an RBI triple deep to left-center. Big Ben drove him home with an RBI fielder's choice.
Score: Lookouts 3, Mudcats 2

Second inning
LB (which stands for "Level Bat," of course) reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second on a two-out single by Hayes. JJ, Asher, Brenner and Tyler combined for back-to-back-to-back-to-back RBI singles to provide the two-out scoring.
Score: Mudcats 6, Lookouts 5

Third inning
Smiley led off with a deep double and scored on a single by Sticks. Big Ben picked up an infield single, and Christopher followed with a run-scoring double. Anthony cleared the bases with a thunderous triple that was aided by some very heads-up baserunning, then scored on Gabe's single. More aggressive baserunning gave JJ an RBI double, and Asher completed the scoring with an RBI fielder's choice.
Score: Mudcats 13, Lookouts 6

Fourth inning
Drew continued his standout day with a line shot double that scored Smiley.
Score: Mudcats 14, Lookouts 6

Saturday's Web Gems

• Gabe snagged a fly ball off his shoetops in center field.
• Smiley made two terrific plays at third base, including a very difficult play to his right. On that play, Anthony alertly covered second base, enabling Smiley to throw to second for the force.
• Neal Anderson (more popularly known as Hayes's dad) showed good form and focus by using two hands and smoothly hauling in a pop foul behind the plate, then firing the ball back onto the field. At Sunday's practice the coaches will work with him on running at the lead runner and yelling, "TIME!"