Game 8: Lookouts 9, Mudcats 4

At Thursday night's practice, Coach Sean told the Mudcats that defense would be very important over the second half of the season. Saturday's game proved him right, but probably not in the way he wanted. The 'Cats' defense suffered some rare breakdowns, the Lookouts made some terrific plays in sending the All Blacks to their first loss of the season, 9-4. The victory gave the Lookouts a split of the season series.

After West Raleigh was doused with a cloudburst just before the scheduled 3 p.m. game time, coaches and parents spent at least a half-hour getting the field in playable condition. The 'Cats took advantage, tallying a quick first-inning run after the eventual 3:30 start, but the big Lookout bats (including former Mudcat Ben Penchuk enjoying a 3-for-3 day and nearly hitting his second home run of the week) and some uncharacteristic defensive issues kept the Mudcats playing from behind for most of the afternoon.

By the time the offense--which managed a season-low eight base hits--awoke in the late innings (and Coach Sean remembered that it was unlucky for him to carry his keys in his pocket), the Lookouts had already taken a commanding lead. Time eventually ran out when the clouds opened yet again with Will at the plate in the sixth. Rain washed away the final inning, making the unsatisfying final 9-4.

The Mudcats have practice on Tuesday at Method Road before playing the Bulls on Thursday.

Saturday's Mudcat scoring plays
First inning
Brady tripled down the right field line, then scored on Charley's hard grounder to the right side to give the Mudcats an early lead.
Score after one-half inning: Mudcats 1, Lookouts 0

Fifth inning
After the Mudcat bats went silent during the middle part of the game, they woke up for the fifth. Gabe ripped a one-out single back up the middle, and then a rare misplay by the Lookout infield on Donovan's tough grounder allowed Gabe to score and Donovan to sprint all the way around to third. Asher slapped a single to left, scoring Donovan. After a fielder's choice, Noah blasted a single to right-center that scored Asher from second.
Score after four and a half innings: Lookouts 9, Mudcats 4

Saturday's Web Gems

• In the third inning, Gavin knocked down a line drive at shortstop, stayed with the play, and threw out the Lookouts' leadoff hitter from his knees to get the first out of the inning.
• Brenner took a couple steps in to catch a bullet of a line drive in center leading off the fifth.
• Later in that same inning, Gabe fielded a deceptively difficult grounder at third and made a very strong throw to first to end the inning.

Saturday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Mudcats	1	0	0	0	3	0	4	8
Lookouts	4	0	5	0	0	X	9	11