Game #4: Mudcats 16, Lookouts 2

In the most complete showing of the year by far, the Mudcats pounded out 20 hits, limited the Lookouts to just six, and scored in every inning but one on the way to a 16-2 victory.


The day began with team pictures under an overcast sky. While the Mudcats were posing for their glamour shots, apparently there were legions of workers hard at work on Nowell Field. After pictures, which for some reason included the always-coveted photo from the back, the teams arrived at Nowell for the 11:30 first pitch and discovered slightly less than ideal conditions. Thanks to the hard work of dads and coaches from both squads (Note: this is not a passive-aggressive way of praising myself, as I conveniently stood by and did absolutely nothing) the field was soggy but playable by the scheduled start time.


Given the results, we might want to consider watering down the field before every game. Sparked by Zach’s second homer in four games, the Mudcats posted three quick runs—enough to win the game, as it turned out—in the first inning. That was the start of an offensive onslaught that included at least one hit or an RBI from every member of the lineup. Eleven different Mudcats had a hit, and eleven different Mudcats drove in at least one run.

Just as impressive, perhaps, was the fact that there was never any noticeable dropoff, even with the big lead. After every run-scoring inning, the coaching staff sent the Mudcats back onto the field with this mantra—“It’s 0-0.” That’s exactly how they played defensively, limiting the Lookouts to just six hits and avoiding the bunched-together errors that have led to some big opposing innings in the past.
“I’m going to keep this short,” Coach Andrew told the team afterwards. “You were ready today. That’s the difference between good and great. You were absolutely ready to play and focused in every single inning.”

The squad began a new tradition by bringing in treats for the offensive and defensive player of the game. For his season-high 3 RBI, Noah was awarded Oreos as the offensive player of the game. Zach captured the defensive player of the game award—a giant bag of Doritos that looked gargantuan until it was put in Zach’s hands, at which point it looked like a trial size.

The next Mudcats practice is Sunday at 5 p.m. at Kentwood, with the next game slated for Monday at 5:30.

Saturday's Mudcat scoring plays

First inning
Smiley reached on a fielder’s choice, which gave him the perfect vantage point to watch Zach crush a ball over the left-center field fence. As Charley said the instant the ball hit Zach’s bat, “That’s gone.” The Mudcats weren’t content to stop with two runs, however, as Anthony followed the homer up with a single, moved to second on Charley’s single, and scored on Brenner’s single to left.
Score after one inning: Mudcats 3, Lookouts 0

Second inning
In the biggest inning of the day, JJ led off by hammering a single to left. Noah reached on a fielder’s choice, and both runners advanced on Gabe’s grounder to first. Asher drove in JJ (who was among several Mudcats with some impressively aggressive baserunning) with a groundout, and then Hayes dropped a perfectly placed RBI triple down the right field line. Smiley followed with a run-scoring single, and after a Zach double—with the Lookouts outfield playing almost with their backs against the fence—Anthony completed the scoring with a two-run single.
Score after two innings: Mudcats 8, Lookouts 0

Third inning
This time it was Christopher who initiated the scoring, picking up a leadoff single. Gavin reached on a fielder’s choice, and after JJ moved up both runners with a groundout, Noah tomahawked a high pitch into left-center for a two-run single.
Score after three inning: Mudcats 10, Lookouts 0

Fifth inning
Brenner led off and reached for the second time. Following some quick instruction from Coach Sean and Coach Jim, Christopher blasted a double to left that scored Brenner. Gavin picked up an infield single, then JJ collected an RBI single. Noah and Asher closed out the scoring with RBI groundouts.
Score after five innings: Mudcats 14, Lookouts 2

Sixth inning
Still playing aggressively, Charley and Brenner picked up RBI as the Mudcats put together their best baserunning performance of the young season.
Final score: Mudcats 16, Lookouts 2


Saturday's Web Gems

• Zach (brought to you by Doritos) made it look easy on the last out of the game, spearing a fly ball to left center.
• Smiley alertly tossed off the catcher’s mask, pounced on a dribbler in front of the plate, and made a strong throw to first to retire the Lookout hitter.
• Brenner’s hustle and solid outfield/infield communication helped limit the Lookouts to just a single on a ball that had been smashed to the fence.
• The defense was consistently solid at every position—in five of the six innings, the Lookouts never advanced a runner past second base.

Saturday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Mudcats	3	5	2	0	4	2	16	20
Lookouts	0	0	0	2	0	0	2	6