Game 10: Mudcats 16, Scrappers 6

Clearly tired of waiting all day to play, Saturday's pregame dance party had a little extra intensity, as Asher threw in a handstand to go with the usual funky moves.

The handstand happened too quickly for a mere mortal like me to capture, but Erin was on the scene and got the whole thing on video, which we will be showing at Asher's wedding when Stephanie allows him to get married in about 40 years. As usual, Erin also had some great game action shots.

Evidently, dances=runs. In what Coach Sean called "the best all around game all year," the Mudcats pounded out 19 hits and cruised to a 16-6 win over the Scrappers. The win gave the visitors their second three-game winning streak of the season and completed a regular season sweep of the Scrappers.

Last time against the Scrappers, the 'Cats needed a furious rally to get the win. This time, it wasn't as close. Nine different players scored runs and 10 different players had hits. Most impressively, after three quick runs early, the All Blacks watched the Scrappers come back and tie the game in the bottom of the second. But that simply led to a seven-run outburst in the top of the third, and the 'Cats ended the game outscoring their opponent 13-3 over the final four innings. "I was very proud of you, because you made mistakes, but you came back from them," Coach Sean said. "You picked each other up."

There were stickers all over the place after the game, once Coach Sean retrieved them from his secret hiding place, which evidently is located in Kernersville based on how long it takes to get them after the game. Everyone got a sticker for the win, and bonus stickers went to Jackson (nice play at pitcher),  Quenten (defensive toughness), the catcher trio of Brayden/Cameron/Hayden, Channing (deep double), Colin (both offense and defense), and Gavin (just two home runs, 4-for-4 and six RBI).

Coach Sean might have even been a little stingy with the stickers. He probably should've given one to Regan "The Fox Hunter" Gallaher, who braved the dangerous woods behind left field to retrieve Gavin's home run balls.

The next Mudcat event is practice Sunday at 5 p.m. at Kentwood. The next game is Monday night at 5:30 against the Bats.

Saturday's Mudcat scoring plays
First inning
For the second straight game, the Mudcats posted three runs in the top of the first. Brenner led off with a single, and then Asher singled, with both runners moving up a base after a misplay in the outfield. That put runners on second and third for Gavin, who knew exactly what to do--line a single to left, scoring both. Gavin moved up to second on another outfield miscue, putting him in position to score on Colin's one-out RBI single.
Score after one-half inning: Mudcats 3, Scrappers 0

Third inning
The 'Cats put together a seven-run third, which tied for the biggest single inning of the season so far (the offense also scored seven in the first against the Riverdogs). Ten hitters came to the plate, starting with Brenner, who blasted a double to left to start the inning. Asher doubled in Brenner, and then Gavin hit a titanic home run to deep left. Colin reached first on a one-out fielder's choice and moved to second on Cameron's single to the left side of the infield. Luke peppered the right side on a shot that scored Colin. With runners on first and second and two outs, Channing crushed perhaps the hardest-hit ball of his Mudcat career, which turned into a two-run, two-out double, and then scored on Hayden's grounder to the right side.
Score after two and a half innings: Mudcats 10, Scrappers 3

Fourth inning
Jackson singled to lead it off, and moved to second on Brenner's ball up the middle. A fielder's choice allowed Jackson to come all the way around. Quenten's hot shot to the left side scored Asher, and then Colin ripped a two-out, RBI double.
Score after three and a half innings: Mudcats 13, Scrappers 6

Fifth inning
Luke led off with a double. Brayden's grass shot put runners on first and third, and Hayden's RBI single plated Luke.
Score after four and a half innings: Mudcats 14, Scrappers 6

Sixth inning
As you might've guessed, it happened with two outs (for the day, eight of the 16 'Cat runs crossed with two outs). Asher doubled the other way, putting him on second once again for a great view of a Gavin home run.
Score after five and a half innings: Mudcats 16, Scrappers 6

Saturday's Web Gems

• Gavin made a nice play going up the middle in the first inning, and flipped to Brenner--who did a nice job covering second for several force outs--at second for the out.
• Colin speared a hot shot down the third base line in the third, limiting the hitter to just one base, which ultimately saved a run.
• In the fourth, Quenten made two straight good stops at third, then fired to Brenner, who was alertly covering on both of them, for force outs at second.
• Jackson completed a very solid defensive fourth by bouncing off his pitcher position, knocking down a hard shot, and throwing to first for the out.
• Luke and Asher combined on some good communication in the fifth on a hard-hit ball to the right side. Luke ranged far to his left to scoop up the one-hopper, and Asher hustled back to the bag to receive the throw.
• Quenten took a hard line drive off his side in the fifth inning, but showed impressive toughness by coming back to play the rest of the inning, even hauling in a pop fly for the final out of the frame.

Saturday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Mudcats	3	0	7	3	1	2	16	19
Scrappers	0	3	3	0	0	0	6	10

Game 9: Mudcats 11, Bulls 10

In one of the most intense wins of the season, the Mudcats played a terrific final two innings in coming back to beat the Bulls, 11-10, to split the season series.

As per occasional Mudcat tradition, the game began with some funky dance moves in the deep corner during the pregame talk:

If anyone knows who that kid's parents are, please ask them why he is so crazy.

The pregame hijinks must have inspired the 'Cats, who jumped out to a quick three runs in the top of the first to give them their first lead of the season over the Bulls. But some midgame defensive lulls and big hits by the opposition allowed the Bulls to storm back and take an 8-6 lead halfway through the game.

It was after that bottom of the third inning that Coach Sean reminded the All Blacks how much they had improved since the first practice back in February. "You're better than you just showed," he said. "Now let's go out and pound the baseball."

That's exactly what they did. Because the first two innings were very lengthy, the game was creeping towards the 90-minute West Raleigh time limit. That meant the fourth and the fifth were the final two innings of the game, and the 'Cats controlled those frames, outscoring the Bulls 5-2 and getting hits from seven different players in the final two innings alone.

Combined with the late-game heroics last time out against the Thunder, the Mudcats have now outscored the opponents by a combined 10-3 in the last two innings of the last two games. They also have been incredibly proficient with two outs, as 26 of the last 29 'Cat runs have come with two outs.

Stickers went to everyone for the win, plus bonus stickers for Will (double bonus stickers for the triple and for the game-ending defensive play!), Gavin (3-for-3), Asher (3-for-3), Luke (great defense in left field to set the tone early in the game), Jackson (ignited the rally in the top of the fifth) and Colin (finished off the rally with a two-run single).

Special thanks to the rally monkey, who made an appearance on the Mudcat dugout fence and also deserved a sticker:

The next Mudcat game is Saturday at 5 p.m. against the Scrappers. Please be at West Raleigh, wearing your fox repellant, by 4 p.m.

Thursday's Mudcat scoring plays
First inning
Asher stroked a one-out double to left and scored on Gavin's single. Gavin moved up to second when the ball was misplayed in the outfield, which put him in position to score on Quenten's RBI single. Colin singled, took second on the throw to third as the Bulls tried to cut down the runner in front of him, and then scored on Cameron's RBI single.
Score after one-half inning: Mudcats 3, Bulls 0

Third inning
Jackson got it started by hustling out a grounder in the infield. Then, as usual, the All Black two-out attack kicked in. Asher singled, putting runners at the corners. Gavin singled in Jackson. Quenten powered a single between shortstop and third that loaded the bases. Colin singled to drive in Asher, and Gavin ran the bases like a rabid fox to come all the way around and score when the defense didn't pay enough attention to him.
Score after two and a half innings: Mudcats 6, Bulls 5

Fourth inning
Stop me if this sounds familiar: the Mudcats did it with two outs. The rally started with two outs and none on. Channing motored down the line to beat out a grounder to short. That set up Hayden, who lined a shot directly down the first-base line that whizzed past the chalk on the way to deep right field. Channing came all the way around to score, and when the Bulls had an overthrow trying to get Hayden at third, he popped up and hustled home for the second run of the inning.
Score after three and a half innings: Mudcats 8, Bulls 8

Fifth inning
Jackson started the eventual game-winning rally by lining a single. With one out, Asher singled back through the middle, putting runners on first and second. Gavin smoked a double to deep left that scored Jackson. Then, with two down in a clutch at-bat, Colin went the other way for a two-run single that provided just enough cushion to the Mudcat defense.
Score after four and a half innings: Mudcats 11, Bulls 9

Thursday's Web Gems

• Luke made two big run-saving catches in the first two innings in left field.
• Colin showed lightning-fast reflexes at third base by snagging a ball that appeared ready to whistle right by his ear for a double.
• With two outs in the fifth (and final) inning, the tying run on second base and the time limit expired, Will made a game-saving play by staying down on a grounder at second and firing to Asher at first for the game's final out. 

Thursday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Mudcats	3	0	3	2	3	X	11	16
Bulls	1	4	3	1	1	X	10	16

Game 8: Mudcats 14, Thunder 8

The Mudcats got the second half of the season off to a rousing start with one of their most complete team efforts of the year on Saturday afternoon, besting the Thunder 14-8. The Mud Blacks, as they were christened in the postgame huddle, scored all 14 of their runs with two outs.

Playing with just 10 players, the 'Cats made just enough plays in the field to keep the game close. During the key stretch of the game, through the middle innings, they retired seven out of eight Thunder hitters. That allowed the offense time to kick into gear. The Mudcats were outscored 7-4 through the first three innings, but went on a 10-1 onslaught over the final three innings, outhitting the Thunder 10-3 in that span.

You might think that the rally was prompted by sparkling defense or a hard-hitting offense. You might even think that perhaps it was Gavin, who announced before his fourth inning at-bat, "I've still got some tricks up my sleeve, I just need to find them." It turned out that the trick up his sleeve was a home run. Nice trick.

And all of those things were nice. But I now present to you the true source of the rally:

Look carefully on the far right of the photo, attached to the fence. That, folks, is a bonsai tree. It was planted there by Coach Sean before the fourth inning. Shortly thereafter, the Mudcats began to play with incredible poise and flair. As you can see from the photo, it also enabled Coach Sean to reach a zen-like state on the field; he began grooving pitches (two Mudcat homers, 10 Mudcat hits post-bonsai planting) and reached a higher state of enlightenment with his defensive strategy. I later snapped this photo of Coach Sean preparing to pitch the sixth inning.

Stickers were presented to everyone for the victory. In addition, bonus stickers were presented to the following players: Quenten (bomb), Gavin (bomb), Colin (nearly knocked Coach Sean's bonsai clippers off), Cameron (timely RBIs yet again), Brenner (key offense from the leadoff spot), Will (good defense at pitcher), Hayden (big-time hustle on the bases and a key hit), Asher (4-for-4 and a couple nice scoops), Jay (aggressive baserunning to score from second on a single) and Jackson (a line-drive hit, plus he picked up a force out from the outfield). In other words, everybody got a bonus sticker--told you it was a team effort.

The Mudcats will hit the practice field on Sunday at 1:30. The next Mudcat game is Thursday at 5:30.

Saturday's Mudcat scoring plays
Third inning
After going scoreless in the first two innings for the first time all season, the offense ignited in the third. Asher laced a one-out single and moved to second on Gavin's single. With two down, Quenten ripped an RBI single to get the 'Cats on the board. Cameron blasted an RBI double and Hayden's shot back through the middle couldn't be fielded, scoring Cameron all the way from second.
Score after two and a half innings: Mudcats 4, Thunder 3

Fourth inning
Once again, it happened with two outs. Brenner singled. Asher singled and stretched it to two bases when the ball was misplayed in the outfield, scoring Brenner. Gavin crushed a home run to left that scored a pair. Colin got the rally going again with a line drive single. Quenten drove a hard-hit ball to the left side that put two runners on, and Cameron's single plated two.
Score after three and a half innings: Mudcats 9, Thunder 7

Fifth inning
Jay reached on a one-out fielder's choice. He moved up to second on Brenner's fielder's choice to the right side. Asher finished off a 4-for-4 day with an RBI single and moved to second on some fielding issues. Gavin swatted a triple to deep left, and scored when Colin ripped an RBI single right past Coach Sean's ear. Quenten finished the scoring by blasting a two-run home run over the scoreboard in left-center.
Score after four and a half innings: Mudcats 14, Thunder 7

Saturday's Web Gems

• Gavin and Colin hooked up on a nice shortstop-to-third force in the first to retire the lead Thunder runner.
• Asher made a pair of nice scoops at first base to preserve outs in the infield, with one coming in the second inning and one in the fifth.
• Jackson came up firing on a single to right field in the sixth inning and hosed a runner at second to get the force.
• Coach Regan foraged deep into a dangerous underbrush to retrieve Gavin's home run ball.

Saturday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Mudcats	0	0	4	5	5	0	14	17
Thunder	3	0	4	0	0	1	8	9

Game 7: Bees 16, Mudcats 9

The Bees got the better of a game of two-out rallies on Thursday night, putting up eight runs in the fifth and riding that outburst to a 16-9 victory.

Both teams played a solid first four innings, as the offenses landed back-and-forth haymakers. The Bees struck for three runs immediately in the top of the first, but the Mudcats came right back with four runs of their own. After a scoreless second, the same thing happened in the third--the Bees scored three runs, but the 'Cats answered with four, as the rally started with two outs and no one on base. And after a scoreless fourth, it looked like the pattern might continue in the fifth...but then the wheels came off.

The Bees plated eight runs total and five runs with two outs in the fifth, as the All Blacks were unable to make that last defensive play to get off the field. The hard-hitting Bees, on their way to 21 hits, pounded out line drive after line drive, and outscored the homestanding All Blacks 10-1 over the final two innings while outhitting them 12-3 in that same span. Even Coach Jamie's attempt to class up the 'Cats a little by coming straight from the airport and coaching third base in khaki pants wasn't enough to reverse the mojo.

The loss completes the first half of the season, with the Mudcats standing at 4-3 overall. Second-half play begins on Saturday, with a 3 p.m. scheduled first pitch against the Thunder.

Thursday's Mudcat scoring plays
First inning
Asher singled to left and moved up to second when the ball was kicked around in left field. Gavin reached on a miscue in the infield, and then Colin smoked a single to center that scored Asher. Quenten crushed a double to left that scored Gavin, and then Cameron scored a pair with a two-RBI single.
Score after one inning: Mudcats 4, Bees 3

Third inning
It all happened with two outs and none on. Gavin started it with a single, then moved to second on Colin's single. Quenten smashed another double, scoring Gavin. Cameron picked up two more RBI on a double down the line in left. Brenner's line drive to the right side couldn't be fielded, and Cameron raced all the way around to score.
Score after two innings: Mudcats 8, Bees 6

Sixth inning
Quenten completed his 3-for-3 day with a single, moved to second on a fielder's choice, and scored on Brenner's deep single to center.
Score after six innings: Bees 16, Mudcats 9

Thursday's Web Gems

• Quenten made a pair of solid catches in the outfield, including an impressive play when he charged in from center and took control of a shallow pop-up, calling off the infielders to make the catch.
• In a 1-2-3 top of the second, Gavin got the second out by ranging far to his left, scooping up a grounder that was threatening to scoot through the middle, and firing to Asher at first for the second out.
• Asher used some kind of wizard trick to make a batted ball hit the Bee baserunner in the fourth, getting a free out for the Mudcats.
• Will made an aggressive play in left field in the fifth, keeping a hard-hit line drive in front of him on one hop and firing to the cutoff man to limit the Bee leadoff man to a single.
• Brenner and Brayden teamed up to get a 1-2 forceout at the plate with the bases loaded in the sixth.

Thursday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Bees	3	0	3	0	8	2	16	21
Mudcats	4	0	4	0	0	1	9	13

Game 6: Mudcats 18, Riverdogs 7

The Mudcats brought the bats to Saturday's nightcap at Nowell Field, exploding for seven runs in the top of the first inning and cruising to an 18-7 win over the Riverdogs. The seven first-inning runs were a season high for a single inning, and were also as many or more than the 'Cats had scored in three of the team's previous five games. The 18 runs were a season high, as were the 24 hits that were pounded out by 12 different hitters.

The day's outburst was perhaps best described by Jay, who stroked a sweet single to left leading off the second. Upon entering the dugout after scoring on Asher's single, Jay was told, "Jay, you crushed that ball!"

Jay's response: "OK!"

OK, indeed. The 'Cats also quietly played solid defense after some early hiccups, holding the homestanding Riverdogs scoreless over the final three innings and marking just the second time this season that the Mudcats have put together back-to-back-to-back scoreless defensive innings (the other was against the Thunder). The Riverdogs advanced just one runner to third during that stretch.

There were stickers galore after the game. Everyone got one for the win. Other recipients included Will (sweet catch in left), Jay (OK!), Hayden (ripped a pair of singles), Quenten (playing a great center field and made another catch out there), Gavin (bombed a homer to center and went 4-for-4) and Asher (4-for-4).

The next Mudcat event is practice Sunday afternoon from noon until 2-ish at West Raleigh. Fans will have to wait all the way until Thursday for the next game.

Saturday's Mudcat scoring plays
First inning
The Mudcat bats thundered in the first. Luke and Asher reached to set up Gavin, who blasted a three-run homer to center to get the All Blacks on the board early. But that wasn't the end of the scoring. Colin got it started again with a single, and then Quenten ripped an RBI double. Cameron's hot shot to short couldn't be fielded. With two on, Brenner laced a single to center, and Quenten came all the way around to score. Channing hustled out an RBI single to the right side, and then Will completed the scoring with an RBI fielder's choice to short.
Score after one-half inning: Mudcats 7, Riverdogs 0

Second inning
Jay got it started by roping a leadoff single to left. He moved all the way to third on Luke's single. Asher's single scored Jay, and then Gavin's deep single scored Luke. Colin's single loaded the bases, and then some aggressive baserunning forced a Riverdog miscue, allowing Asher to score on a throwing error after Quenten's pop fly to the pitcher. Cameron picked up two RBI with a single through the left side.
Score after one and a half innings: Mudcats 12, Riverdogs 3

Fourth inning
Leading off let again, Luke singled, and Asher singled for the third of his four hits. Gavin, who was also on his way to a four-hit day, singled home Luke. With one out, Quenten doubled home Asher and Gavin. Brenner drove an RBI fielder's choice to the right side to plate Quenten.
Score after three and a half innings: Mudcats 16, Riverdogs 7

Fifth inning
Will singled and moved to second on Hayden's grounder to the middle. Brayden singled in Will for the lone run of the inning.
Score after four and a half innings: Mudcats 17, Riverdogs 7

Sixth inning
Gavin singled to left and moved to second on some defensive issues. Quenten earned his fourth RBI of the day with a two-out single to left.
Score after five and a half innings: Mudcats 18, Riverdogs 7

Saturday's Web Gems

• Luke was part of another double play in the third. With runners on first and second and nobody out, the batter smoked a line drive to second. Luke grabbed it in the air, then fired to Asher at first to snuff out what could have been a big inning.
• The Mudcats got solid outfield play, including two great catches on fly balls. The first came from Will, who snagged a liner in left to end the fourth.
• The All Black outfield did it again in the fifth. This time it was Quenten who ran under a fly ball to center and ended the inning with a smooth catch.

Saturday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Mudcats	7	5	0	4	1	1	18	24
Riverdogs	3	1	3	0	0	0	7	8

Game 5: Lookouts 11, Mudcats 9

On an odd night at Nowell Field, the Mudcats outhit the Lookouts but were undone by a pair of Lookout homers and one bad defensive inning, falling 11-9 to snap a three-game winning streak.

The offensive highlight was the first career home run for Quenten, who blasted a fourth-inning pitch over the center field fence and effectively knocked Coach Jamie out of the game.

Quenten's homer drew the Mudcats within 6-5, but a five-run Lookout fifth put the 'Cats back in a hole. That's when they began to play some of their best baseball, scratching across a run in the bottom of the fifth, turning in a 1-2-3 defensive inning in the top of the sixth, then rallying for three runs in the bottom of the sixth and very nearly coming all the way back.

Special recognition--in the form of Coach Sean and Coach Adam wrestling to see who would award him the first of his double stickers--was given to Jackson after the game, as the rookie Mudcat showed incredible hustle and awareness in right field, and also found time to hit a missile in the fifth. Colin also earned a sticker for his defensive play, and Quenten collected a sticker for his home run. Cameron received a sticker for his long double in the sixth that drove in a run and prolonged the 'Cat rally.

The next Mudcat event is Wednesday's practice at Kentwood (directions are here) at 5 p.m. The next game is Saturday against the Riverdogs, also at 5 p.m.

Tuesday's Mudcat scoring plays
First inning
Luke, Asher and Gavin went back-to-back-to-back on three singles that produced an early run.
Score after one inning: Lookouts 3, Mudcats 1

Second inning
Brenner led off with a single and then put on an aggressive baserunning clinic, going to second on a defensive misplay, then hustling to third on a fielder's choice, which put him in position to score on Jackson's RBI groundout.
Score after two innings: Lookouts 3, Mudcats 2

Fourth inning
Luke and Asher led off with singles. With two on and one out, Colin reached on a fielder's choice that put runners on first and third. That meant the Mudcats needed a big two-out hit...and Quenten provided a BIIIIIIG two-out hit, slamming it over the center field fence for a two-out, three-run home run.
Score after four innings: Lookouts 6, Mudcats 5

Fifth inning
Channing reached on a grounder to the left side. He moved to second on Jackson's rocket single back through the middle. Will's fielder's choice put runners on the corners, and then Brayden smacked a single to center to score Channing.
Score after five innings: Lookouts 11, Mudcats 6

Sixth inning
Luke singled through the middle and hustled all the way to third on Gavin's single. Colin drove in a pair with an opposite field single, then advanced to second on the throw home. Quenten's fielder's choice advanced the runner, and then Cameron's long fly ball double to left scored Colin.
Score after six innings: Lookouts 11, Mudcats 9

Tuesday's Web Gems

• Luke made a nice play on a line drive in the first inning, ranging to his left to spear it.
• Channing ran under a long fly ball to left-center and made it look easy in the fifth inning.
• The All Blacks turned in two 1-2-3 innings, getting solid play from Gavin, Colin and Asher in the infield in both of those frames.

Tuesday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Lookouts	3	0	0	3	5	0	11	11
Mudcats	1	1	0	3	1	3	9	13

Game 4: Mudcats 6, Bats 5

With a pregame dance party like the above, it's not hard to see how the Mudcats once again rallied for a big win, pushing the winning run across in the top of the sixth to beat the Bats, 6-5, on Saturday morning.

Before we get to the game description, a couple notes on the above photos, in which you will notice that Asher has to take his batting helmet off in order to really break it down. First, if you'll remember Coach Sean's postgame description to the parents, he said they should all want to see "Asher's dance." If you look at the top picture, it sure looks like there is someone other than Asher--a big guy who kind of looks like a coach--dancing also. And second, the best part of the second picture is the look on Colin's face, as he wonders if it's too late to go back into the draft and find a team that is slightly less crazy.

Fortunately, he decided to stay with the All Blacks, because the Mudcats needed contributions from up and down the lineup to get Saturday's win. It was the third straight game in which the 'Cats have had to come back to get the win, and the second straight game when the winning run crossed the plate in the sixth.

"That," Coach Sean told the team afterwards, "was a really good baseball game."

This time, the solid Mudcat play was largely attributable to defense, as the 'Cats have gotten more confident in the field and have made almost the same amount of errors in the last three games combined (all wins) that they made in the first game alone (a loss). In three different innings on Saturday, the All Black defense allowed just four Bats hitters to come to the plate. Even on plays when the Bats picked up a hit, the Mudcat outfield was able to limit them to just one base, instead of allowing the ball to get by and turn into extra bases.

Everyone received stickers for the win, and offensive stickers went to Gavin (who casually just happened to hit a game-tying home run right after Coach Sean had urged the team to get the runs back they'd just handed the Bats) and Brayden (who had a game-tying RBI single in the fifth). Defensive stickers went to Gavin for his solid play at short and to Quenten for his terrific sixth-inning catch that preserved the Mudcat win.

Saturday's Mudcat scoring plays

First inning

Luke led off with a single. Asher reached on a fielder's choice, then moved to second on Gavin's single. Colin blasted a double deep to left-center that scored both runners. Quenten capped the scoring with a double down the right-field line that scored Colin.

Score after one-half inning: Mudcats 3, Bats 0

Fourth inning

The scoring description won't take long on this one: down 4-3, Gavin stepped to the plate as the leadoff man and bombed a home run deeeeeeeeep to center for the first Mudcat homer of the season.

Score after three and a half innings: Mudcats 4, Bats 4

Fifth inning

Jackson reached on a grounder to the left side, then moved to second on Will's infield single. The Bats picked up two straight fielder's choices at third to get two outs, but then Brayden lined a single to center that scored Will.

Score after four and a half innings: Mudcats 5, Bats 4

Sixth inning

Asher led off with a double to right-center. With two outs, he was still on second base, but then some adventurous base-running advanced him to third on Quenten's grounder. With runners on the corners, Cameron smacked a hot shot to the left side that scored Asher with the eventual game-winning run.

Score after five and a half innings: Mudcats 6, Bats 5

Saturday’s Web Gems

• On the first Bats hitter of the game, Luke made a nice play backing up and hauling in a popup behind second.
• With the Bats cleanup man at the plate and a runner in scoring position in the first, Luke knocked down a hot grounder at second. He threw a little wide of first, but Asher came off the bag and then got back to the bag for the force that retired the side.
• Gavin made a leaping play of a line drive at shortstop in the fifth that robbed the Bats leadoff hitter of at least a single.
• Coach Rob made a sweet play on Asher's foul ball in the sixth, casually reaching up to snag it over the fence down the left-field line...with a baby in the fan's arms right next to him.
• Quenten made a potential game-saving play in the sixth, running in to catch a hard drive by the Bats cleanup hitter that looked ticketed for extra bases.

Saturday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Mudcats	3	0	0	1	1	1	6	10
Bats	0	0	4	0	1	0	5	9

Game 3: Mudcats 11, Scrappers 10

• Game photos from the win

In what is certain to be one of the most thrilling games of the season, the Mudcats scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth to get a walk-off win, 11-10, over the Scrappers.

The victory turned Coach Sean into a prophet, as he had gathered the team in the middle of the sixth and asked, “What are we about to do?”

“Get four runs!!!” they shouted back, eager to tie the score and go into extra innings.

“No,” Coach Sean said. “Let’s get five runs and go ahead and win the game.” That, folks, is a coaching genius, made even more incredible by the fact that he was working with an inept third base coach who took a scorebook out to the third-base coaching box to write down such helpful notes as, “Call Coach Jamie and make sure he gets back from Disney World in time for Saturday’s game.”

The Mudcat offense was keyed by production up and down the order, as ten of the 11 hitters reached base and eight different players drove in at least one run. Aware that they were dealing with some questionable third-base coaching, the once-tentative Mudcat baserunners ran very aggressively in the final two innings, making some big hustle plays that contributed to the rally.

A very happy All Black postgame huddle included stickers for everyone, plus a rally-starting sticker for Jackson, a game-winning hit sticker for Colin and a defensive sticker for Gavin.

The Mudcats were almost certainly propelled to the win by the vast amount of All Black alumni in the stands at various points during the game, including Brady’s family and even Coach Andy, who did what he does best in starting the mojo—by leaving the stands.

The 'Cats will practice Wednesday night at Kentwood, and play again in the Saturday morning 9 a.m. special against the Bats.

Monday's Mudcat scoring plays

First inning

Keep in mind that all of these scoring recaps were written while standing in the third-base coaching box and my attention may not have been completely devoted to the scorebook. From what I can tell, Luke lined a leadoff single and moved to second on Asher’s single. Quenten singled, and then Channing picked up a clutch two-run single.

Score after one inning: Scrappers 3, Mudcats 2

Second inning

The bottom of the order set up the rally, as Will and Brayden reached with two outs. Luke loaded the bases with a shot to the right side, and then Asher singled in the game-tying run.

Score after two innings: Mudcats 3, Scrappers 3

Third inning

Colin and Quenten reached to start the inning, and then Channing moved the runners to second and third with a fielder’s choice. Cameron gave the ‘Cats their first lead of the day with a grounder to the right side that scored Colin.

Score after three innings: Mudcats 4, Scrappers 3

Fifth inning

With one out, Gavin blasted a double to deep right. Colin immediately drove Gavin home and advanced all the way to third, putting him in perfect position to score on Quenten’s single.

Score after three innings: Scrappers 9, Mudcats 6

Sixth inning

For some reason, all I have written down for this inning is, “Just get out of their way and keep waving them home!!!” I have no idea what that means.

Jackson led off with a single that seemed to ignite the Mudcat dugout. Will reached on a grounder to short. With two on and none out, Hayden grounded it to right and legged it out, while Jackson raced all the way around to score, drawing the Mudcats within 10-7. Brayden singled Will home, making it 10-8 and turning the batting order over. Luke singled back through the middle, scoring Brayden and bringing up Asher. I think I blacked out at that point because suddenly Asher was standing at third and Luke had scored to make it 10-10. After the Scrappers shortstop made a great play on Gavin’s line drive, leaving Asher at third with two outs, Colin rapped it back through the middle and hustled down the line to beat the throw and allow the winning run to score.

And then we all started breathing again.

Score after six heart-pounding innings: Mudcats 11, Scrappers 10

Monday’s Web Gems

• With two on and two out in the first, the Mudcats executed a textbook rundown…by not throwing the ball at all. Gavin caught a throw at second, then ran down the runner between first and second to end the threat.
• Gavin’s play started a string of seven straight outs by the Mudcat defense. Several players made plays during that stretch, including Colin snagging a pop fly and fielding a grounder, Will scooping up a pair of grounders and Asher and Gavin each grabbing a grounder.
• In what seemed like an inconsequential play at the time but ended up being big, Gavin ranged back into the edge of the outfield to spear a sinking liner in the top of the sixth. That play limited what could have been a potentially big Scrapper inning to just one run .

Monday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Scrappers	3	0	0	6	0	1	10	10
Mudcats	2	1	1	0	2	5	11	15