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 |
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