"That was a great defensive game," Coach Sean told the team. He also mentioned it was the first shutout he had ever seen in the Minor League, but unfortunately, Minor League records are not quite as complete as Mudcat records, so we have no way of knowing for sure--other than Coach Sean's memory, which of course is infallible.
The defense began early, as the 'Cats held the Bats without a hit over the first three innings. That gave the offense time to chug into gear. Perhaps limited by the lack of pregame dancing, the All Blacks scored just one run in the first two innings. But after getting an energy boost from a few eight-year-olds, the Mudcats exploded for seven runs in the third. Atypically, the big inning was not powered by big hits, but instead was a succession of singles. That enabled the Mudcats to show off their hustling on the basepaths, as six different 'Cats scored all the way from second on a single.
That was more than enough offense, but the All Blacks made sure it would hold up by turning another sweet defensive trick in the fourth: the Bats loaded the bases with no outs but got zero runs, as Quenten's unassisted play at third base snuffed out the threat. The runner he doubled off at third base was the only Bat who reached third all game.
Everyone received a sticker for the win, and then everyone also received a sticker for the solid team-wide defensive effort. Coach Jamie awarded Brenner an extra sticker for his hustle on the bases that got him all the way to third and put him in position to score one of the three runs Brenner plated on the day.
There's not much time to savor the historic performance, as the 'Cats play again on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. against the Lookouts, with pregame at 2 p.m.
Friday's Mudcat scoring plays
First inning
Brenner led off with a single, then hustled to third on Asher's single, where he scored on Gavin's rocket that was knocked down by the pitcher.
Score after one inning: Mudcats 1, Bats 0
Third inning
For the third time this season, the 'Cats scored seven runs in a single inning. The inning was ignited at the bottom of the order, where Will, Jay and Jackson all reached to lead off the frame. With the bases loaded, Brenner's grounder to third scored the first run. Asher's single scored Jackson all the way from second. Gavin's single plated Brenner, and then Quenten singled in Asher. The parade of singles continued with Luke's two-out hit up the middle, and Cameron and Brayden also came through with two-out hits to complete the scoring.
Score after three innings: Mudcats 8, Bats 0
Fifth inning
Brenner led off by smoking a ball down the third base line and hustled all the way to third. Asher's sacrifice fly to center scored Brenner.
Score after five innings: Mudcats 9, Bats 0
Friday's Web Gems
- The standout defensive plays began early. With a runner on first and one out in the first, Gavin ranged across the middle to spear a line drive.
- The very next hitter hit a line drive bullet to center, but Quenten grabbed it on one hop and fired to second for the force to end the inning.
- Gavin backed up Brenner, picked up a hot shot, and threw to first for the first out of the second.
- Will ranged to his right to snag a line drive at pitcher on the next play.
- Quenten turned an unassisted double play in the fourth. With the bases loaded, he gloved a hard line drive, then stepped on third to double off the runner.
- The leadoff Bat in the fifth smoked a hard drive to right-center, but Cameron limited him to a single by firing the ball in from the outfield.
- Brenner started the second double play of the game. With runners on first and second, he caught a line drive at pitcher, then threw to Asher at first to double off the runner.
| Friday's line score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H |
| Bats | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Mudcats | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | X | 9 | 15 |
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