Mudcats Hold the Bulls – Win Second Round Game

May 18, 2009 – First Pitch at 5:40 PM – Weather was clear and pleasant

The #1 seed Mudcats (15-0-1) prevailed in their second round tournament game against the #4 seed Bulls (10-6). The win advances the Mudcats to the 3rd round of the winners’ bracket where they will face off with the #2 seed Scrappers.

The boys started off with great defense in the top of the first. They put the Scrappers down in order on a P1 to Dane, an F4 and then P4, both to Cade. In the bottom half, Dane led off with a line drive to left center and Joseph doubled up the middle, moving Dane to 3rd. Matt brought Dane home on a sac fly, and then Joseph scored when Cade put the ball into play. After 1, the Mudcats were up no runs to 2.

The 2nd inning featured more solid defense by the Mudcats. After a leadoff single by the Bulls, Cade pulled in an F4 for out 1. Then Cade and Ryan connected on a 4-6FC followed by a K to keep the Bulls scoreless. In the bottom half the Mudcats tacked on 3 more. Luke led off with an infield hit demonstrating great hustle. Adam roped one to right-center, moving Luke to 3rd. Jacob put one over the 2nd baseman for an RBI, bringing home Luke. Tyler then lined to left center for 2 bags, clearing the bases ahead of him. Leyton hustled to first to give the Mudcats 2 runners on with none out, but three consecutive hard hit balls by Sticks, Smiley, and Dane went right at the Bulls. After 2, the Mudcats led no runs to 5.

Great defense again in the 3rd, after the Bulls hit a leadoff single. Cade and Ryan earned the first two outs with forces at second base on a 6-4 and then a 4-6 fielder’s choice. Matt connected with Cade on a 5-4, all three outs coming on forces at 2nd. Ryan led off the bottom half with a shot that knocked the 3rd baseman on his heels for 1B. Joseph followed up with a double, moving Ryan to 3rd. Matt lined one to left-center, scoring Ryan and moving Joseph to 3rd. Cade hit an RBI Sac Fly, bringing Matt home and moving Joseph to 3rd. Bags reached on a 5-4FC and then moved to 2nd on a line drive to left by Luke. Adam then doubled up the middle, scoring Bags and moving Luke to 3rd. Jacob then singled up the middle, scoring Luke. After 3 innings, the Mudcats were leading no runs to 9.

In the 4th, the Bulls made a run, posting 4 runs on the board. After a leadoff single and a 4-3 from Cade to Joseph, the Bulls had a runner on 2nd with 1 out. A line drive to right-center was stopped by Andrew who made the throw into Cade who got the ball home to Bags for an almost out. End result was 1 run in and the batter on 3rd with still just 1 down. A single brought the runner from 3rd home, and then a 2-run home run completed the scoring effort by the Bulls. The Mudcats closed out the half-inning on a 4-3 from Cade to Joseph and then an F4 to Cade.

In the bottom half, the Mudcats came back with 5 runs, starting with a leadoff effort by Leyton to turn an infield ball into 2-bags. After a P4 by Sticks, Jacob Smiley Mitchell added some hustle of his own, resulting in a 1st and 3rd situation for the Mudcats, top of the order coming to the plate. Dane hit a shot to right-center, scoring Leyton. Ryan crushed one to left-center for two bases and scoring Jacob. Joseph singled to right-center, scoring Ryan. Matt lined to left, moving Joseph to 2nd. Cade then lined one up the middle scoring Joseph. With only 1 out, the inning was called on the 5 and 10 run rule, Mudcats winning 4 runs to 14.

Each team added 1 in the 5th. After an error and base hit, the Bulls had runners on 1st and 2nd with none out. After a P2 on a great snag by Luke, then a 1-5 from Bags to Matt, who got the tag on, the Mudcats managed to not allow a runner to reach 3rd, now with 2 down. A single stopped by Tyler held the runners to 1 base, loading them up. Another base hit, and continued great defense by the boys to only allow 1 run to score. A 1-3 from Bags to Joseph got the Mudcats out of the jam.

In the bottom half, the Bags led off with an infield single, followed by another one by Luke. After an L6 and a 1-3, the Mudcats had 2nd and 3rd with 2 out. A line up the middle scored Bags before the inning ended on a P5. After 5, the Mudcats were up 10 runs, 5 to 15.

In the top of the 5th the Bulls staged a serious comeback effort, mostly with 2 outs. After a 3U by Joseph and a single, Ryan connected with Cade on a 6-4 off a missed pop-fly, giving the Bulls a runner on 1st with 2 outs. Then, the Bulls managed 6 straight hard hit singles, ultimately scoring the 5 runs. Finally, and F3 confidently caught by Joseph ended the rally and the game.

The final out came at 7:11 PM with the Mudcats on top, 10 runs to 15. The win keeps the boys in the winners’ bracket where they will face the Scrappers in the 3rd round game.

Mudcats Blank Thunder – Win Opening Round Game

May 16, 2009 – First Pitch at 3:00 PM – Weather was steamy

The Mudcats (14-0-1) were a little flat on offense in their opening round game against the Thunder (0-14). But solid defense led the way as the team advances to the second round in the winners bracket.

The boys faced three batters in the top of the 1st. After a line drive base hit by the Thunder to get the game rolling, Cade turned a fabulous F4-3 double play, getting the ball to Joseph before the breaking runner could get back. A 6-3 from Ryan to Joseph ended the inning.

Bottom of 1, Dane broke out the new Vendetta, railing one to the left field fence for two bases. Ryan then hustled to 1st, moving Dane to 3rd. Joseph slapped one up the middle, scoring Dane and moving Ryan to 3rd. Matt nearly put one out for a long single, scoring Ryan and moving Joseph to 3rd. Cade lined one to right-center and would get to 2nd as Matt ended up being tagged as he was waved to 3rd. After a P1 and a 3U, the Mudcats were up none to 3 in the 1st.

Great defense again in the 2nd inning. A line shot for a single was tracked down by Leyton in the outfield, who made an excellent throw into 2nd. Then after a K and an error, it was 1st and 2nd with 1-out. A 1-5 from Bags to Matt earned the out and kept runners to 1st and 2nd. Then a shot nearly going up the middle was snagged by Cade who ran to 2nd for the 4U.

Bottom of 2, the bats went cold on the Mudcats. Adam hit hard into a 6-3, Leyton had a base-hit up the middle, and Andrew grounded into a 5-4 fielder’s choice. No runs scored and it remained 0 to 3 Mudcats.

Top of the third started with two infield singles by the Thunder. With runners at 1st and 2nd with none out, the Mudcats staged an excellent defensive run, starting with a 5U by Matt to hold runners at 1st and 2nd. Then a P6 by Ryan and another great 4U by Cade, the Mudcats escaped allowing no runs.

Bottom of 3 was the best offensive inning of the game. Dane hit a sharp grounder to left center for a single, then was moved to 2nd on an infield single by Ryan. The double-train started after that, with back-to-back doubles by Joseph, Matt, Cade, Bags, and Luke. Adam and Tyler followed up with base hits, with Luke coming home for the 7th run of the inning, which ended on the 5 and 10 run rule. After 3, Mudcats were up no runs to 10.

Top of the 4th, Thunder did most of the work with 2 K’s, and then an F6 to Ryan closed it out. The Mudcats added 3 more in the bottom half as Andrew got things going with an infield hit to 3rd for a single. Jacob then advanced on a 1-6FC, and was moved to 2nd on another left-center tagged ball by Dane. Ryan doubled to left, scoring Jacob and moving Dane to 3rd. Then Joseph doubled to center, scoring Ryan. After 4 innings, the Mudcats were up no runs to 13.

Continued solid D in the 5th started with a great scoop by Joseph on a 6-3. Cade kept the show going on a 4-3. An infield hit and a K later, and the Mudcats were coming back up to bat. The boys added 1 in the bottom half, starting with a line drive to left center by Cade. Another Luke double moved Cade to 3rd, and a Tyler infield hit brought him home. Leyton added one more hit to the inning before it was over, Mudcats on top 0 to 14.

The Mudcats put the Thunder down in order in the 6th, on a 3U by Adam playing 1st, a fly to the outfield brought in by Matt, and then an F6 to Ryan.

The Mudcats shut out the Thunder and scored 14 runs in the win. Defense was so dominant, that the Thunder never had a base runner reach 3rd base. The Mudcats continue their winning streak into the playoffs, remaining in the winners bracket and advancing to their second round game against the Bulls.

Mudcats Strike Thunder – Win Regular Season

May 11, 2009 – First Pitch at 5:44 PM – Weather was overcast & cool

The Mudcats (13-0-1) looked as loose as they have all spring while warming up for their season closer against the Thunder (0-14). The Mudcats sat down the Thunder in order 3 of the 6 innings played, and jumped to a 10-0 lead in the 1st inning. The win secured the boys an undefeated regular season. They will face the Thunder again in the opening round of the tournament at 3:00 on Saturday.

The boys played with a purpose in the top of the 1st, putting the Thunder down in order on an F1 to Dane, a 4-3 from Cade to Joseph, and an F6 to Ryan.

Bottom of the 1st, the Mudcats sent all 13 boys to the plate; all 13 getting on base, scored 10, and only suffered 1 out before the inning ended on rule. Dane hustled to 1st to get the inning started, then Ryan singled to left-center, the Joseph got one past short, then Matt put one into left, Cade advanced on a 5-4 FC, then Bags hustled for a hit, then Luke lined one to left, Adam doubled to the right-center fence, Jacob put it into play for two-bags, Tyler knocked a shot to left, Leyton put another one into left, Andrew pushed one through the 3rd baseman, and Jacob hit into left center. Thunder none, Mudcats 10 after 1.

Top of the 2nd, the Thunder managed their only run of the game after a leadoff double. The runner advanced to 3rd on a 4-3 from Cade to Joseph, and then scored on a 3U by Joseph. Bags finished it with an F1.

Dane hustled out again in the bottom of the 2nd to get the inning going. Ryan followed up with a line shot to center for a double. After a P6, Matt doubled to center, scoring Ryan. Then Cade cleared the bases with his first career HR, going yard over the Moe’s sign. After a 6-3 for out 2, Luke lined a rocket off one-bounce into the chest of the shortstop for a single. Credit the toughness of the shortstop who recovered quickly. Adam lined one to the centerfield fence, but would be left stranded along with Luke, the inning ending with the Mudcats leading 1 run to 14.

The Mudcats had their second perfect inning in the 3rd, sitting the Thunder down on a 6-3, 1-3, 6-3 from Ryan, then Jacob, then Ryan again to Joseph.

The boys tacked on 1 more in the bottom half, kick started by Leyton who singled to left with 1 out. Andrew lined one into left center moving Leyton to second. Then with 2-out and runners on 1st and 2nd, Dane smoked on to the fence just right of center, scoring Leyton as Andrew advanced fro 1st to 3rd. Ryan ripped one right short for an L6, and after 3 it was Thunder 1, Mudcats 15.

Top of the 4th, the first out came on a sweet 6-3 with Ryan ranging all the way to his left, snagging the ball just in front of second base, then throwing on the run to Joseph. After a base hit and a K, Cade connected with Ryan on a 4-6 to close down the Thunder.

Bottom of the 4th, 3 more runs for the Mudcats. Joseph singled to left. Then Matt hit a high shot to deep right-center that looked like it was going out. By the time it bounced once into the fence, Joseph had already motored from 1st through 3rd scoring on the hit. Cade then followed with a hard grounder into left-center, moving Matt to 2nd. Bags then hit a line shot only to have it snagged for an L6. Then Luke lined one into left, scoring Matt and moving Cade to 2nd. Adam drilled one into right-center, moving Cade to 3rd. Then Jacob got an RBI on a 1-3, scoring the final run of the game for the Mudcats. The inning ended Mudcats leading 1 run to 18.

Top of the 5th, Mudcats shut down the Thunder in order again, with some help, on an F6 to Cade playing at short, a K, and then a 6-4 from Cade to Dane. Great defense by the boys mixing it up in the field.

The bottom three batters went down in order in the 5th for the Mudcats, but not due to lack of hitting. The Thunder played their best defense of the game pulling in a nice line drive to 2nd, a hard hit 6-3, and another sharply hit 4-3.

Playing out of position again in the 6th, the Mudcats showed solid defense to win the game. The outs came on a 4-3 from Bags to Adam, an F6 to Matt, and then an L3 to Adam.

The game ended at 7:00, Mudcats winning by a score of 1 run to 18. The win gave the boys an undefeated regular season final record of 13 wins, no losses, and 1 tie. The team was loose from the pregame warm-ups through the final out. It was a fun game for all in the Mudcats family!

Mudcats Recover – Down Scrappers

May 2, 2009 – First Pitch at 1:06 PM – Cloudy and Warm with Spotty Rain

The Mudcats (11-0) defeated the Scrappers (8-3) in a methodical come-from-behind win. The game featured a pair of key two-out rallies and one bottom-of-the-order scoring frame to post the runs necessary to win. After giving up 7 in the first, the Mudcats tightened up, only allowing 3 more through the 5 remaining innings.

The Scrappers late pregame batting practice was brought to the plate, as their first 8 batters hit the ball solidly, scoring 6 runs before the Mudcats would earn their first out. A 7th run scored on the first out, a 1-6 FC from Dane to Ryan. Then Ryan and Joseph connected for a 6U-3 double play to get out of the inning.

Down 7-zip quick, the Mudcats had a rare offensive start, with Dane lining out to the pitcher, and then a P5 by Ryan. Heads were down in the Mudcats’ dugout, but good teams don’t quit. After an encouraging pep talk by Coach Vaughn to the team, Joseph got a 2-out rally started with a 1B hard grounder to LC. Matt pulled one into the LC gap for a deuce, scoring Joseph. Cade lined one to LC, scoring Matt. Bags put one into right, getting Cade to 3rd. Luke hit a rope that wanted to knock down the outfield fence for 3-bags, clearing the lead runners. After on inning the Mudcats chipped back into it, down 7 runs to 4.

Not wanting to get down further, the Mudcats staged a great top of 2, putting the Scrappers down in order on a 1-3 from Bags to Joseph, and then a pair of 6-3 putouts from Ryan to Joseph.

The bottom of the order came through in the 2nd for the ‘Cats. Leyton led off with a double to the LC gap. Jacob lined on hard, right at the pitcher for out one. Andrew pulled one down the left-field line, for 2-bags and scoring Leyton. Then Jacob Mitchell knocked one into center, moving Andrew to 3rd. Dane hit an RBI 6-4FC, scoring Andrew. After 2, the Mudcats got to within 1, down 7 runs to 6.

Solid D continued in the 3rd. Scrappers led off with a single, then a P5 to Matt, and then a 6-4FC from Ryan to Cade. Another 1B gave the Scrappers runners on 1st and 3rd with 2-down, only to have it snuffed by another 6-4.

The Scrappers held serve in the bottom half. Joseph cranked one into the Moe’s sign, but a friendly bounce of the wall, and a perfectly executed play by the Scrappers caught him going for 2 bags. With 1 down, Matt followed with a line-drive smash to LC for to bases, sliding. But a P1 and a 6-3 would get the Scrappers out of the inning, holding on to their 1-run advantage.

Top of the 4th, the defensive showdown continued. The Mudcats earned their first out on a textbook Ryan/Joseph 6-3. The Scrappers then hit a single, to put 1 on with 1 out. The Mudcats then ended the inning on a 6-4 double play attempt, in which interference was called on the runner going into 2nd standing.

Bottom of the 4th, Scrappers held their 1-run lead again, shutting down the Mudcats quickly. Four batters stepped to the plate, with only Leyton taking the ball down the 3rd base line, property of the Mudcats. After 4, the score remained at 7 to 6, Scrappers up.

Top of the 5th, Scrappers pad their lead by one, but the Mudcats play excellent defense to give up just that one run. Scrappers led off with 2 solid base hits. With runners on 1st and 2nd, none out, the 3rd batter nailed a base hit to center, tracked down by Dane, making a quick throw to Ryan, who in turn threw it to home where Luke was ready to make the catch and tag on the runner coming from 2nd. It was a huge out, but the Scrappers still had runners on 2nd and 3rd with just 1-down. A base hit scored the runner from third. Still just one out and runners on 1st and 3rd, Ryan pulled in a P6, then a Jacob to Joseph 1-3 ended the threat.

Now down by two, bottom of the 5th, and the bottom two hitters go down. It was time for another 2-out rally by the Mudcats, and they put on a show. Line drive by Dane to LC, then Ryan smashed one at short, literally taking the player down. 1st and 3rd Mudcats, and Joseph hits one up the middle scoring both Dane and Ryan and the game is tied. Matt doubled down the proprietary Mudcats’ left-field line while Joseph scored. Then Cade put one down the left-field line, followed by Bags, who wanted a piece of that prime real estate. Now bases loaded for Luke, who advances all runners 1B. Then Adam hits one to RC, scoring Cade and Bags. Then Leyton gets in on the left-field line action, scoring Luke. Jacob loaded the bases again for Andrew, who led off the inning. He’d line out to 1, but not before the Mudcats scored 7 runs, taking a 6-run lead to the 6th.

The Scrappers made a great effort to come back in the 6th. After an L4 to Cade, back-to-back doubles scored 1. Then Joseph made an excellent plan on a sharply hit ball taking an ugly hop for the 3U putout, lead runner advancing to 2nd. The Scrappers scored a 2nd run on an infield hit. Matt connected with Joseph on a 5-3 to end the game at 2:34 PM. Mudcats win 10 runs to 13 and are able to sit out the bottom of the 6th after trailing heading into 5… Amazing.

Another great win for the boys!

Mudcats top Bees in Slugfest

-April 16, 2009
-First Pitch at 5:43 PM
-Weather was Sunny & 60’s

The Bees stung first in a game that featured three back-to-back innings of matched play. Both teams entered the game undefeated. When the dust settled, the Mudcats captured their fourth win and handed the Bees their first loss.

Top of the 1st, the Bees’ leadoff hitter reached second and then scored on a base hit. After a K and a base hit, the Bees had runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out. Matt got the second out with an unassisted force at 3rd, runners still on the first two bags. The Bees scored three more with a fly to left and then a base hit. Ryan and Joseph finally ended the half-inning with a 6-3, Bees up 4 to 0.

The Mudcats matched the Bees 4 runs in the bottom, starting with a line drive to left-center by Dane. Ryan scorched one to left-center scoring Dane from first, and getting to 3rd himself on the throws. Joseph hit into a would-be 6-3, but pure speed and hustle earned him a base hit as he beat out the solid play, scoring Ryan. Matt reached on a fielder’s choice, and then moved to third on a Cade single. Cade would make it to second on an attempt to pick off Matt. Luke hit a rope to left, scoring both Matt and Cade. Mudcats and Bees were knotted up at 4 after 1.

Defense took over in the second. Ryan and Joseph connected on a 6-3, followed by 2 Bees K’s for a 1-2-3 inning. The Mudcats did not capitalize in the bottom half, with only Leyton reaching 1st on a fly ball to right field. After 2, the score remained tied at 4.

Top of the 3rd, the Bees struck back. The Mudcats got the first out on a 5-3 from Matt to Joseph. After getting two base runners, a Bees’ home run put them back on top. They followed up with a double to immediately threaten again. Out 2 came on an unassisted force at 1st by Joseph; the base runner advancing to 3rd. Two more runs scored on a double then single before coach Vaughn called a timeout to settle the boys down. The very next play was an L3 brought down by Joseph to end the half-inning.

The Mudcats gave up 5 in the top half and equaled that in the bottom. Top of the order back up to the plate, and Dane got it going again with a single to left. Ryan drilled the Moe’s sign in center for a long single, moving Dane to 2nd. Joseph doubled to right, bringing home Dane and moving Ryan to 3rd. Matt hustled for a single, scoring Ryan and moving Joseph to 3rd. Cade singled to left, scoring Joseph and moving Matt to 2nd. Bags singled to left-center, loading the bases for Luke. Luke hit a sac-fly to left, caught by former Mudcat Evan, which would score Matt. Adam hustled for an infield single, loading the bases again. Tyler earned an RBI on a 5-3. After 3, the Bees and Mudcats were knotted up again, 9 runs each.

Top of the 4th, the Mudcats put the clamp down and didn’t let up, playing solid defense to the game’s end. Out 1 came on a P6 to Ryan. The Bees put their second batter on first. On the next play, a short fly ball to right field was picked up cleanly on one bounce by Jacob Mitchell, who came up throwing to Joseph. While just missing the base runner at first, Joseph made a heads up play, getting the ball to Cade who then, with Ryan and Matt, had the runner going to 2nd caught in a rundown between 2nd and 3rd. Cade ultimately would get the out, leaving the Bees with a runner on 1st and 2 down. After a K, the Mudcats came back to the dugout with a 9 to 9 tie, bats in hand.

Bottom of the 4th, Andrew led off with a hard hit ball to 3rd and hustled to first, but out by a step on a 5-3. Jacob Mitchell sped his way to first next, setting up the top of the order with 1 on and 1 out. Dane wasted no time brining Jacob home when he hit a towering home run, clearing the scoreboard by a good 20 feet. Ryan kept it going by pounding one to shortstop for a single. Joseph then doubled, and would reach 3rd on the throw trying to catch the scoring Ryan. Cade singled to deep right-center, scoring Joseph. After 4, the Mudcats finally grabbed the lead, 9 runs to 13.

Top of the 5th, Mudcats put the Bees down in order on a 4-3 from Cade to Joseph, a K, and a 6-3 from Ryan to Joseph, who made a full-stretch one-hop snag for the out. In the bottom half, the Mudcats tacked on an insurance run with the bottom half of the order. Luke led off with a stand-up double to left. Adam’s 1-3 moved Luke to 3rd. Tyler brought Luke home as he hustled to first. Heading into the final inning, the Mudcats held the lead, 9 runs to 14.

The first Bee wanted to get all 5 runs back on one swing of the bat, and K’d. The second out came on a shoestring catch on a towering fly ball to centerfield, hauled in by Adam. The next batter hit a stinger to 3rd that Matt ranged over to quickly and snagged on one hop, an impressive play holding the runner at 1st. At 7:10 PM, Luke closed out the game on a P2, the ball barely reaching the top of the backstop before Luke lost the helmet, turned, and brought in the ball.

Mudcats win, 9 runs to 14. A shout out goes to Jacob for pulling for his team while sidelined due to illness, the epitome of a true sportsman.