The defensive performance came against a formidable offense, as the Thunder entered the game in the top half of the league in runs scored. But several key Mudcat defensive plays short-circuited potential big innings, including three outfield assists at second base.
"That was an intense defensive game," Coach Andrew told the team. "We got out of innings with just one or two runs when they had some big hitters up with runners in scoring position. Our defense looked excellent."
Meanwhile, though, the Mudcat offense could never find the holes. After scoring one in the first, the potential tying run appeared to score in the second on a home run by Hayes. But the rarely-seen-in-7-year-old-baseball appeal play was used, and the umpires decreed that he had missed second base and called him out. Everyone handled it calmly and supported the ruling of the eagle-eyed umpires, especially once they remembered they had signed those pesky Codes of Conduct at the beginning of the season.
The Mudcats bounced back to tie the game in the fourth, but the top of the Thunder order generated two runs in the top of the sixth to provide the final margin of victory. The final Mudcat rally saw the tying runs move into scoring position in the bottom of the sixth, but a hard line drive once again found a Thunder glove.
While the on-field results were largely positive, there is room for improvement off the field. No team sticker was awarded. "That's because of the attitude of the team," Coach Andrew said. "I heard people asking if this team we were playing was as good as the Bats. We can't have that kind of losing attitude. It doesn't matter who we are playing...I've seen all the other teams in this league play and I have coached a lot of teams on this field. This is the best team I have coached on this field. We can beat any team down here, and I'm not just saying that to make you feel good."
Two Mudcats picked up individual stickers, as Gabe rifled in two outfield assists from center field, picking up a pair of force outs at second base. Charley registered an assist from left center, as he also got a force out at second base.
The loss was the first weekend defeat of the season for the Mudcats and officially ended the chances that any idiotic bloggers would write anything about winning trends in the future.
Saturday's Mudcat scoring plays
First inning
With a slightly juggled top of the order, Charley singled and moved to second on a fielder's choice from Chris. Smiley drove him in with a double.
Score after one inning: Thunder 2, Mudcats 1
Fourth inning
LB led off with a single and moved to second when Chris reached on an infield misplay. Smiley singled, driving in LB. Drew doubled to tie the game, giving him at least one RBI in every game this season.
Score after four innings: Thunder 4, Mudcats 4
Saturday's Web Gems
- The Mudcats got their best outfield play of the season. Two of the three outs in the third inning were via outfield assists (one by Gabe from center and one by Charley from left-center), limiting what could have been a huge Thunder inning to just two runs.
- The Mudcats looked much more comfortable on the pop-ups just over their heads that gave them trouble in the game against the Bats.
- Smiley gloved a hot shot down the third base line and threw to Anthony at second for an alert sixth-inning force.
| Saturday's line score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H |
| Thunder | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 16 |
| Mudcats | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 10 |
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