Game 6: Mudcats 19, Scrappers 4

In an offensive explosion the likes of which has never been seen before in recorded Mudcats history--well, at least Mudcats history that has been recorded by this particular writer on this particular blog, which dates back to the fall 2010 season--the 'Cats pounded out 19 runs and 19 hits (also known in technical baseball lingo as "a ton") on the way to a 19-4 victory over the Scrappers. The All Blacks scored in every offensive inning, had every player in the lineup reach base at least once, got hits from 11 different players and had 11 different players score a run.

In other words, they played pretty well.

They also showed the total lack of knowledge possessed by Coach Adam, who had--this is a true story--emailed Coach Sean on Saturday night pointing out that the 'Cats had just nine extra base hits through the first five games this season. The Mudcats proceeded to go out and knock nine doubles in one game against the Scrappers, doubling their season total in just five innings.

In reality, the All Blacks actually got two wins on Sunday in front of a crowd that included a host of Mudcat alums, including Smiley Mitchell, Drew DiMeo, Chris Gruskin, Coach Andrew, Coach Jim and GM Jenn. After taking a 13-3 lead after two innings, there was some chatter in the dugout about the impending victory. Hearing that, the coaches challenged the players to win the final four innings, and told them the score was resetting to 0-0. The 'Cats proceeded to go out and win again, with a 6-1 margin from the third through the sixth.

The win was even more impressive because of an injury list that makes the 2012 Carolina basketball team look like the picture of health. The very serious list of injuries included Gavin (bug bite), Noah (wrist), Gabe (finger...or something?), Coach Tom (rotator cuff from waving players around third), Charley (leg), Donovan (feet on fire after racing around the bases), and Coach Sean (major leg injury after a throw from Brady). In a related story, Brady will be arriving to Monday's game two hours early to run laps. It is possible that after two hours of running, Coach Sean might be able to catch him.

Coach Sean, whose memory is impeccable, once again remembered the stickers. Everyone received a sticker for the victory, and Brenner, Bryce and Colin earned an extra sticker for solid offensive and defensive play.

Naturally, the Mudcats have another game tomorrow to close out the grueling three games in three days/four games in five days stretch. All players (other than Brady) should arrive for pregame at 4:30, with the game beginning at 5:30. Coach Adam will be sending an email to Coach Sean shortly pointing out that the team needs to hit more home runs.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Coach Sean is too nice to talk about this (unless it is the bottom of the fifth inning and he is supposed to be pitching), but Gavin's older brother, Riley, caught a 39-yard touchdown pass in South Carolina's spring football game on Saturday. He even earned some praise from Steve Spurrier. Congratulations to Gavin for coaching up his older brother and to Coach Sean for getting out of the way and letting Gavin do the teaching. Video of the play is available online, with the very cool bonus (scroll ahead to the 1:30 mark) of getting to hear "Riley Gallaher with the touchdown" over the PA.

Sunday's Mudcat scoring plays
First inning
Foreshadowing a double-happy day, Gavin led off with a double. Brady and Charley followed with back-to-back singles. With one down and Charley on second and Gabe on first, Colin dropped a double the other way to score a pair. Just a few pitches later, Donovan followed with still another double, scoring Colin. Donovan moved to third on Asher's single, then scored on Brenner's double--the fourth extra-base hit of the inning.
Score after one inning: Mudcats 6, Scrappers 3

Second inning
In an inning that was only shut down by the 10-run rule, the Mudcats sent eight hitters to the plate and saw seven of them score. Ben, Channing and Will got the inning started with all three reaching base, and then Gavin and Brady each reached. Charley joined the doubles club with a two-RBI rip to left, and then Bryce doubled to center to drive home Charley. Yes, if you're keeping score at home, that's six doubles in the first two innings. Gabe completed the scoring with an RBI single, giving the Mudcats a 13-3 lead and forcing the teams to change sides due to the rules.
Score after two innings: Mudcats 13, Scrappers 3

Third inning
Picking up right where they left off in the previous inning, Colin, Donovan and Asher loaded the bases immediately with no outs. Noah picked up an RBI fielder's choice, and Asher motored home on Chris's hard grounder to short.
Score after three innings: Mudcats 15, Scrappers 3

Fourth inning
Will drove the ball back up the middle, then moved to third on Gavin's double. Brady scored both 'Cats with yet another double, then came home on Bryce's RBI grounder.
Score after four innings: Mudcats 18, Scrappers 3

Fifth inning
Donovan hit--you guessed it--a one-out double, moved to third on Asher's single, and scored on Noah's grounder.
Score after five innings: Mudcats 19, Scrappers 4


Sunday's Web Gems

• To end the third inning, Gavin stopped a hard ground ball at shortstop and threw to first to complete the out.
• In the fourth, Bryce made a solid pickup at shortstop, then threw to first, where Charley--playing on an injured leg--still made a stellar stretch to nab the runner at first by a quarter-step.
• Gavin made a tough play look easy at second base leading off the fifth inning, throwing on the run to get the out.
• The series of Mudcat pitchers--including Ben, Asher, Colin, Brenner and Brady--combined to get six of the game's 18 outs from the pitcher position.

Sunday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Scrappers	3	0	0	0	1	0	4	2
Mudcats	6	7	2	3	1	X	19	19