More on that later. On the actual diamond, Sunday was all about a six-run explosion in the first inning that gave the All Blacks all the runs they would need. The Mudcats have pounded out 26 hits in their last two tournament games and have advanced to the Final Four of the Minor League tournament.
Offensive player of the game went to Zach. However, since the 'Cats have finally purchased all the Oreos ever made by Nabisco, he had to accept Doritos for being the offensive winner. Wait, Doritos for the offensive winner? Yep. The defensive winner, JJ, took home one of the giant Mudcat stickers for his batting helmet. The normal-sized helmet stickers were awarded to everyone. The All Blacks must have done a lot of good things this year, because Coach Andrew's sticker supply is looking a little depleted. Had their been a toughness award, it would have gone to Gavin, who played through a nosebleed in the outfield and seemed very reluctant to come out of the game.
Once the game was completed and the stickers were handed out, the day was about half done. The following still had to be distributed:
1. Candy from Noah, who had two pieces (for two tournament wins) for everybody.
2. Milkshakes from Gabe.
3. Most suspiciously, cash from an "anonymous donor" to be used at the concession stand. Seriously, it was an actual wad of cash. Due to my suspicions that it was actually all a ploy by Coach Mike to render Drew ineligible to ever play for the Diamond Heels, I documented the transaction with the photo at right.
The best part of being a Mudcat: on game day, you only have to eat two meals, because you know you'll always get a third meal at the field.
The All Blacks take the field next on Tuesday at 5:30 against the Riverdogs.
Sunday's Mudcat scoring plays
First inning
In an inning that tied for the biggest Mudcat inning of the season, JJ led off with a single. Hayes reached when the Bulls had some adventures in the midfield, and then Drew picked up the first of two RBI on the afternoon. That put two men on for Zach. We all know what happened next: Ka-boom, as King Za blasted his ninth homer of the year. But the scoring wasn't finished yet. Christopher and Anthony notched back to back singles, an error scored Christopher, and then Charley collected a fielder's choice RBI to finish the six-run explosion.
Score after one inning: Mudcats 6, Bulls 0
Second inning
On his way to a 3-for-3 day, JJ singled to center. Hayes drove him in with an RBI double, and then Drew picked up an RBI for the second straight inning with a single through the right side.
Score after two innings: Mudcats 8, Bulls 0
Fifth inning
Once again, JJ got it started with a single to center. Hayes singled to left, and then Zach made it a 4-RBI day with a single to left that scored JJ.
Score after five innings: Mudcats 9, Bulls 3
Sunday's Web Gems
- Christopher made the play that he has more or less trademarked as "The Christopher," snaring a grounder and then diving to slap first base before the runner could arrive in the first.
- Zach went in the hole and made a backhand stop of a grounder in the second, then threw the runner out easily at first.
- JJ caught a fly ball in center in the fourth, a play that was sandwiched between two good plays at pitcher by Charley.
- Hayes prevented what could have been a giant sixth inning for the Bulls by ranging back almost to the fence and camping under a fly ball to record the first out of the inning.
- JJ recorded a force-out from center, charging in to field a hard line drive and then throwing to Zach at second base for the force on the runner coming from first.
| Sunday's line score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H |
| Bulls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 |
| Mudcats | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | X | 9 | 14 |
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