Game 1: Mudcats 12, Bulls 10

The Mudcats pounded out 16 hits and scored five two-out runs on the way to a season-opening 12-10 win over the Bulls.

"I don't think you could be more pleased with how you played," Coach Sean told the team after the game.

Eight different Mudcats got at least one hit and eight different Mudcats also scored at least one run in a performance that saw contributions from up and down the batting order. The All Blacks jumped on the board early, plating three first-inning runs and showing that taking a full pregame is highly overrated.

Most impressively, though, the 'Cats also played from behind. The Bulls sprayed line drives all over the outfield in the bottom of the first and carried a 5-3 lead into the middle innings, and still led 7-5 going into the fifth. But the Mudcats sent a dozen hitters to the plate in a seven-run fifth and never looked back.

"You got behind, but then you came back," Coach Sean. "You didn't give up and kept playing hard."

The All Blacks were also stellar in the field, including the first double play of the season--this one of the unassisted variety, by Gavin in the fourth in a key spot when the Bulls were threatening to break open the game.

One of the only errors of the day was committed by Coach Sean, who--shortly after reminding everyone to bring everything they needed to the field and pack their baseball stuff the night before--admitted that he left the helmet stickers at home. The good news is that means double stickers at Saturday's 3 p.m. game against the Scrappers. A 3 p.m. first pitch means pregame begins at 8 a.m. 2 p.m.

Thursday's Mudcat scoring plays
First inning
Charley ripped a single to left-center, then ran aggressively to third on Gabe's two-out single. Brady picked up the first RBI of the year with a single through the right side, and Colin beat out an infield single to load the bases. Asher singled to left, driving in two and completing the scoring.
Score after one-half inning: Mudcats 3, Bulls 0

Third inning
Channing reached base leading off to third to ignite the Mudcat rally. After he moved to second on a fielder's choice, he scored the first run of his All Black career on Charley's RBI single. The Mudcats struck again with two outs later in the third, as Brady drove home Charley with a double.
Score after two and a half innings: Mudcats 5, Bulls 5

Fifth inning
The offensive floodgates opened in the fifth. Brenner started the scoring with a single up the middle, and then Chris reached on a fielder's choice. Will drove the ball to the left side, moving Chris to second, and then Channing loaded the bases for the top of the order by hustling out an infield single. With the bases juiced, Gavin smoked a two-run double to left-center. Charley followed with another two-run line drive, this one a single that scored Channing and Gavin. After Bryce roped a double to right, Gabe drove in a pair with a single back up the middle. Brady reached on a fielder's choice, retiring Gabe, and then moved to second on Colin's hard ground ball to third base. Asher completed the scoring with an RBI single to center, scoring Brady and giving the Mudcats a giant seven-run fifth.
Score after four and a half innings: Mudcats 12, Bulls 7


Thursday's Web Gems

• The first out of the season was recorded by Gabe at third base, who showed ninja-like reflexes by spearing a line drive that was headed for at least a double.
• Also in the first inning, Bryce made a run-saving catch of a tough fly ball at first base that could have dropped in and prolonged a Bulls first that had seen them already score five runs.
• Playing in to cut off the run at home plate in the fourth, Gavin had to back up to snag a bases-loaded line drive that appeared headed for the outfield. He alertly ran over to tag third and complete the unassisted double play, short-circuiting what looked like a big Bulls inning.
• With the Bulls threatening again in the fifth, Charley knocked down a hard ground ball up the middle, then had the poise to retrieve the ball and throw to Gavin, who was covering second, to get the force.

Thursday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Mudcats	3	0	2	0	7	0	12	16
Bulls	5	0	1	1	2	1	10	13