Once again, the crusty old scorekeeper did not charge the Mudcats with an error on a day that included a quick snag of a pop-up by the catcher and a 4-6-3 double play.
"That was our most complete game all year," said Coach Andrew. "It was unbelievable defense."
Playing in their preferred 9 a.m. time slot, where a series of doughnuts, biscuits, apples and jelly beans provided plenty of energy (plus a back-bleacher buffet of coffee, biscuits and caviar for the parents), the All Blacks jumped out to a 3-0 first-inning lead and never trailed. Double helmet stickers were awarded to everyone, and according to Gabe, his mom was so happy with the win that she volunteered to buy milkshakes for everyone. Since it was 10:30 in the morning, she decided that instead of milkshakes, she'd instead provide some great photos of the last several games--make sure you're checking them out on the right-hand side of the page.
In addition to the double stickers, there were also double Oreos and double Doritos. For igniting the 4-6-3 double play, Anthony/Hoover received one bag of Doritos, while Zach/King Za got the other. For Oreos, the awards went to Christopher and Hayes. It should also be noted that Hayes is believed to have set the world record for most jelly beans in the mouth at one time during the fifth inning. Yes, things are serious business in the dugout during games.
In keeping with that very serious theme, the two teams shook hands, and then the coaches of both teams congratulated the umpires on a job well done in their own unique way. "You've been (great) all year, Brad," the on-field microphones caught them saying.
With the win, the 'Cats advance to another elimination game on Sunday at 1 p.m. against the Bulls.
Saturday's Mudcat scoring plays
First inning
Fueled by a bevy of doughnuts, the Mudcats got on the board quickly. Hayes began a 3-for-3 day with a single to left, and Drew followed with a single to right that advanced Hayes to third. Zach drove in a run with a line drive single, and after Anthony singled, Smiley ripped a two-out, two-run single to center.
Score after one inning: Mudcats 3, Lookouts 0
Third inning
With Noah on first base and one out, Hayes picked up his second straight single. Drew drove in Noah with a single, and then Christopher blasted a two-run double to left that nearly hit the fence on the fly.
Score after three innings: Mudcats 6, Lookouts 1
Fifth inning
Noah led off with a single to left and advanced to second on JJ's fielder's choice. Hayes came through again, this time with a double that scored Noah.
Score after five innings: Mudcats 7, Lookouts 1
Saturday's Web Gems
- Smiley made another cat-quick play at catcher, tossing off his mask to snag a pop fly in the second inning.
- Andrew Penchuk (or as Gabe would call him, former Mudcat "LB's Dad") made a nice catch on a pop fly hit by...wait a second...hit by Asher. Never mind. It was not a nice play. Happy birthday to LB anyway, despite his dad trying to get Asher out.
- Zach, who was involved in nine of the game's 18 outs at shortstop, ranged to his left and hauled in a fourth-inning pop fly near the outfield grass.
- Christopher stopped a line drive that had been smoked by former Mudcat Big Ben Hunt in the fifth, picking it cleanly out of the air and potentially costing Big Ben extra bases.
- In an extreme rarity in the Minor League, the Mudcats turned a 4-6-3 double play in the sixth. The play began with a grounder to Anthony, who calmly dished the ball to Zach, who came across the bag with a solid throw to retire the hitter easily at first base. This now makes the count as follows: 864 times that Coach Andrew has yelled, "Turn it!" on a double play, and one double play turned.
| Saturday's line score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H |
| Lookouts | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Mudcats | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | X | 7 | 12 |
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