"That was an awesome game," Coach Andrew said matter-of-factly after the game. "We hustled. Sometimes we hustled and got out, but sometimes we hustled and were safe. This was one of those games where you hate to see anyone lose."
But the Bulls were about to ramp up the offense, as they scored six runs over the final three innings after being held to just one run in the first three innings. That led into the decisive sixth, which the two teams entered tied at four.
Earlier, during pregame, Coach Andrew had told LB he had an important role as the number-13 batter, because he was the "second leadoff hitter." That proved prophetic, because LB did indeed lead off the sixth, smacking a line-drive single. After a fielder's choice, Smiley advanced LB to third on a single, and then Drew cleared the bases with a double.
The Bulls led off the bottom of the sixth with back-to-back doubles, slicing the Mudcat lead in half. LB made a solid play at pitcher to record an out at first on a grounder, and after an infield single tied the score, Anthony grabbed a sinking liner just before it scraped the dirt to record the second out. After back-to-back singles loaded the bases, the Bulls' Christian completed a 3-for-3 day with a line-drive game-winning single.
For the effort, which included hits from 10 different Mudcats, the entire team earned a sticker. Stickers were also awarded to Anthony for his play on a hard liner, Smiley for a heads-up play recovering a popup and getting a force at second (half-sticker to Anthony for being there for the force), LB for playing with toughness at pitcher and fielding a hard liner, Hayes for the inside-the-park home run, and Asher for getting under a pop fly in right field, although he needs to complete the catch next time.
The bigger news was a weeknight bombshell from Coach Andrew. "I'm going to keep my word about not caring whether you win or lose," he told the team. "And you can tell your parents you have my permission to play wall ball tonight."
That led to the following exchange between the team's two youngest players:
Brenner: "Do you know what wall ball is?"
Asher: "No, do you?"
Brenner: "I don't think so."
Despite the lack of knowledge about how the game was actually played, the entire team responded with a giant roar when told of their postgame activities. It didn't take long for the older Mudcats to explain the rules, which you have to be under the age of 12 to understand. The one fact that seemed very clear is that the people who live bordering the West Raleigh baseball fields must have a fantastic collection of tennis balls, wall balls, and baseballs. The Mudcats managed to lose only one ball during their game, but Gabe and Asher were sent on a reconnaissance mission and recovered the ball...just before what sounded like a decent-sized dog started barking and only a few words could be heard from inside the house.
The Mudcats hit the practice field again Thursday at 5 p.m., by which time every parent will likely be able to recite every track on the Mudcat Rap CD by heart due to incessant repetition in the car (the DOT has determined the CD can be played exactly 4.7 times consecutively between Chapel Hill and the West Raleigh baseball fields).
Thursday's Mudcat scoring plays
First inning
The Mudcats did it with two outs again. Drew reached on a fielder's choice, then moved to third on Chris's single. Anthony drove in Drew with a single, and then Chris took advantage of a defensive misplay to score the game's second run.
Score after one-half inning: Mudcats 2, Bulls 0
Fourth inning
Anthony beat out a one-out single, which led to Hayes's laser to right-center. Both Mudcats flew around the bases--clearly stepping on second, YOU HEAR ME, CLEARLY STEPPING ON SECOND (oh, sorry)--for an inside-the-park home run.
Score after three and a half innings: Mudcats 4, Bulls 1
Sixth inning
LB led off with a single and moved to second on a fielder's choice. Smiley singled and then Drew drove in a pair before being called out while somehow never managing to actually be touched by the ball at third base, not that anyone is bitter.
Score after five and a half innings: Mudcats 6, Bulls 4
Tuesday's Web Gems
- Anthony continued his stellar play at second base, stopping a tough line drive and also alertly covering second base on a forceout.
- LB closed up the hole up the middle with a slick stop on a hard liner.
| Tuesday's line score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H |
| Mudcats | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 12 |
| Bulls | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 12 |
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