Lead-off Leyton started with a hard hit up the middle, but a terrific play by the Bats fielder and a very close play at first base led to the first out. T-Rex followed with a grounder to second for the second out. Adam showed off his hitting skills with a nice hit into the outfield, but was thrown out at second when he tried to stretch a single into a double. Great hustle shown by the Mudcats in the first inning kept the boy’s spirits running high.
The Bats started off the bottom of the first inning with a single to right field. A towering fly ball caught by J-Mac produced out #1 and held the runner at first base. The Bats’ next batter hit a long fly ball to left field that hit the fence. Charley hustled to the ball and threw it into J-Mac to hold the runners at second and third. With two runners in scoring position, Elmo hit a bullet that was heading into left center field. J-Mac got a little dirty, but when the dust settled he’d caught the ball for the second out and held the runners. The next batter’s ground ball to second looked like it may end the inning scoreless, but an error gave the Bats two runs before the inning came to a close. At the end of one inning the score was Bats 2 – Mudcats 0.
Sticks hit a hard single to left field to start the second inning. J-Mac followed with a slow motion infield single down the third base line. He was standing on first base before the Bats third baseman got to the ball. Zach hit into a fielders choice that retired J-Mac for the first out of the inning, moving Sticks to third. Smiley’s grounder to second was looking like a 6-4-3 double play, but he beat the throw to first and Sticks scores!
In the bottom of the second the Bat’s hit a blooper over second base for a lead-off single. Their second batter hit into a 6-4 (J-Mac to Tyler) fielders choice for out #1. An error on the next infield grounder gave the Bats runners on the corners. Adam got the next batter out at first and fired a throw to J-Mac that took his glove off. In a style perfected by Christopher, he caught his glove and tagged the runner to end the inning. Unfortunately, another runner scored from third before the double play was completed. At the end of two innings the score was Bats 3 – Mudcats 1.
Charley stared the third inning with a hard hit single, but was forced out at second on Luke grounder to shortstop. Christopher flew out to the second baseman, who doubled Luke off of first to end the inning.
After the first two Mudcats were retired to start the fourth, T-Rex hit a hot grounder past short and Adam’s grounder had eyes to find a hole between the pitcher and second baseman. Two on, two out. But the rally and the inning ended with both runners left on base.
J-Mac started the fifth inning out right, beating out a grounder to short, but the next three batters went down in order.
A 1-2-3 out bottom of the fifth sent the Bats away scoreless for the inning, but holding onto their lead; Bats 7 – Mudcats 1.
The Mudcats need to find six runs in the sixth inning to take this one from the Bats. Charley hit a HOT grounder that was bobbled by the first baseman who ran it down and sprinted to the bag for the first out. Luke’s infield pop-up caused a collision between the Bats’ third baseman and pitcher. The rally caps came out as Luke stood safe at first. Christopher hit a hard grounder that was juggled at short, and Luke beat the throw to second, then advanced to third when the shortstop’s throw went into right field. The comeback ended when the next two batters were retired in order. Final score Bats 7 – Mudcats 1.
After the game Coach Andrew commented that the Mudcats played exceptionally well on defense (fewest runs allowed this spring). We hit the ball well and hustled. All of the Mudcats players should be proud of themselves for their efforts today against the Bats. If we keep playing like we did today, we are going to have some fun and win some games!
Write-up by Tom
Pictures by Tonya and Scott
