The game was truly a team victory, with contributions up and down the order. The Mudcats even had to battle back, as the Lookouts took a 3-2 third-inning lead that was quickly eliminated by a Zach bomb. The Lookouts had the potential tying and go-ahead runs on base in the top of the fifth, but the homestanding All Blacks retired four of the final five hitters to secure the win.
Zach claimed the offensive player of the game award with his three-RBI performance, while Gavin earned defensive player of the game after making a running catch of a line drive in center.
One incredible offensive statistic, especially considering we are talking about six-, seven- and eight-year-olds: the Mudcats have just three strikeouts in their last 149 at-bats. Consistently putting the ball in play and moving base runners has been an important part of the offensive surge.
A big week is upcoming--in addition to a game against the Bees on Wednesday, Drew is scheduled to have his cast off on Thursday.
Sunday's Mudcat scoring plays
First inning
For the sixth time in six games, Hayes led off the Mudcat first inning with a hit. This time, it was a single to right. He was forced at second on a nice play by the Lookout outfield on a fielder's choice off the bat of Smiley. Zach and Anthony ripped back-to-back singles, and Charley drove home Smiley with a hard-hit grounder to short.
Score after one inning: Mudcats 1, Lookouts 0
Second inning
JJ crushed a double to center that scored Gavin.
Score after two innings: Mudcats 2, Lookouts 2
Third inning
The third inning was the big inning for the Mudcats--with all of the scoring coming with two outs--as Gabe reached leading off the frame and advanced to second on a fielder's choice. With two down, Smiley lined a double to right, scoring Gabe. That brought up Zach, at which point the Lookouts decided to reposition their outfielders. But the adjustment didn't matter, as Zach crushed a high fly ball to center that easily cleared the fence for his third home run of the season. The Mudcat cheering section went crazy.
Score after three innings: Mudcats 5, Lookouts 3
Fifth inning
Spurred on by team-wide jellybeans that mysteriously appeared on the bench while the All Blacks were in the field, Hayes led off again, this time slapping a double to right. He moved to third on Smiley's single, then scored on Zach's hard-hit grounder to the left side.
Score after five innings: Mudcats 6, Lookouts 4
Sunday's Web Gems
- In the first, Gavin (brought to you by Doritos) speared a sinking liner in center field.
- In the second, JJ closed out the inning with a run-saving catch in left-center, as he collided with Kamikaze Asher but still managed to make the catch. Asher's overenthusiasm could perhaps be excused, as he was attempting to become the first baseball player who plays regularly at Boshamer Stadium to make a clean defensive play all weekend.
- In the fourth, the Mudcats used fantastic teamwork and communication to cut down former Mudcat Ben Penchuk--one of the fastest players in the league and on his way to a 3-for-3 day (six of the Lookouts' nine hits were courtesy of LB and Big Ben Hunt, both former Mudcats)--trying to stretch a double into a triple. Noah fired the ball in to Anthony, who never hesitated when turning to throw a bullet to Smiley at third, who applied the quick tag.
- Gabe made a nice running catch of a popup at pitcher, backing up and ranging over toward first base to retire the leadoff man.
- Nora made a one-handed shoestring catch of a foul ball in the stands, earning Coach Tom's Play of the Day award.
| Sunday's line score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H |
| Lookouts | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Mudcats | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | X | 6 | 13 |
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