Game 12: Mudcats 9, Lookouts 3

Coming off Friday's shutout, the Mudcats turned around and once again pulled off a season first on Saturday: they beat the Lookouts, 9-3, and had a defensive web gem in every single inning--the first time that has happened this year. Of course, it shouldn't have been a surprise, because in the pregame huddle, when Coach Sean asked the team who was going to get a web gem, he was greeted with a chorus of "ME!"

One other thing he was greeted with was an American Bandstand wannabe:

Note Jackson and Cameron getting into it and showing some sweet moves of their own.

Unfortunately, the Lookouts wanted to settle the game with baseball rather than dance moves. However, that turned out to play right into the 'Cats' hands, as they played one of the most complete games of the season and earned a regular season split with the Lookouts.

In front of a sellout crowd that included Coach Andy (who was secretly hoping Coach Sean would tire out so he could pitch), the 'Cats continued their solid defensive play and have now allowed just three runs in the last 15 innings of play. Not coincidentally, the defense has led to a season-high five-game winning streak.

After allowing two first-inning runs to the hard-hitting Lookouts (who came into the game averaging a dozen runs per game and had scored at least seven in every game this year), the 'Cats locked down the defense and allowed just three runners as far as second base in the final five innings. The Mudcats also benefited from two double plays, bringing the double play total to four in the past two games.

Because Official Sticker Kingpin Regan was sadly not in attendance (perhaps trying to avoid Coach Andy), stickers were not handed out. This is either because Official Sticker Kingpin Regan rules with an iron hand with the stickers...or because Coach Sean was too tired to walk to his car to get them. Whatever the reason, when the stickers are handed out, everyone will get one for the win, and Coach Matt awarded a special hustle sticker to Jay for backing up every play at first base from right field.

The 'Cats hit the practice field Sunday at 5 p.m. The next game is Wednesday at 5:30 against the red-hot Riverdogs.

Saturday's Mudcat scoring plays
First inning
Asher slapped a one-out single up the middle, raced to third on Gavin's long single, and then scored on Quenten's sacrifice fly.
Score after one-half inning: Mudcats 1, Lookouts 0

Fourth inning
Asher lined a leadoff single to center and moved to third on Gavin's deep single. Quenten smoked an RBI single. Colin lifted an RBI double to left-center. Luke scored a pair with an opposite-field RBI single. After Cameron put runners on first and second with a hard shot to the outfield, Brayden finished the scoring with an RBI single the other way.
Score after four innings: Mudcats 6, Lookouts 2

Fifth inning
In a prototypical two-out Mudcat rally, Brenner reached on a fielder's choice. Asher singled to right-center. Coach Sean tried to throw off Gavin by narrowly avoiding a balk, but then grooved a fastball that Gavin smashed onto the batting cage in center field for a three-run home run.
Score after five innings: Mudcats 9, Lookouts 1

Saturday's Web Gems

• Will set the defensive tone early by grabbing a sinking liner in left field in the first inning.
• Channing caught a hard-hit liner in right-center in the second that helped turn what could've been a Lookout threat into a scoreless inning.
• Asher fielded a ground ball on the first base line in the third, applied the tag, and then brought the pain to the unsuspecting baserunner. 
• With a runner on second in the fourth, Luke made a leaping one-handed catch of a line drive in left-center.
• Later that same inning, Brenner made a nice play backing up on a pop fly in shallow right, ranging far behind his second base position to make the catch.
• Brenner started a trend with an inning-ending double play in the fifth. With a runner on first, he snagged a line drive back to pitcher, then threw to first to double off the runner.
• Suitably inspired by Brenner, the 'Cats decided to raise the ante in the next inning, turning a game-ending 4-6-3 double play. It started with Luke smoothly scooping up a grounder, then flipping to Gavin at second, who fired a rocket throw to Asher at first to nab the runner by half a step and end the game.

Saturday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Mudcats	1	0	0	5	3	0	9	15
Lookouts	2	0	0	1	0	0	3	9