Game 6: Mudcats 18, Riverdogs 7

The Mudcats brought the bats to Saturday's nightcap at Nowell Field, exploding for seven runs in the top of the first inning and cruising to an 18-7 win over the Riverdogs. The seven first-inning runs were a season high for a single inning, and were also as many or more than the 'Cats had scored in three of the team's previous five games. The 18 runs were a season high, as were the 24 hits that were pounded out by 12 different hitters.

The day's outburst was perhaps best described by Jay, who stroked a sweet single to left leading off the second. Upon entering the dugout after scoring on Asher's single, Jay was told, "Jay, you crushed that ball!"

Jay's response: "OK!"

OK, indeed. The 'Cats also quietly played solid defense after some early hiccups, holding the homestanding Riverdogs scoreless over the final three innings and marking just the second time this season that the Mudcats have put together back-to-back-to-back scoreless defensive innings (the other was against the Thunder). The Riverdogs advanced just one runner to third during that stretch.

There were stickers galore after the game. Everyone got one for the win. Other recipients included Will (sweet catch in left), Jay (OK!), Hayden (ripped a pair of singles), Quenten (playing a great center field and made another catch out there), Gavin (bombed a homer to center and went 4-for-4) and Asher (4-for-4).

The next Mudcat event is practice Sunday afternoon from noon until 2-ish at West Raleigh. Fans will have to wait all the way until Thursday for the next game.

Saturday's Mudcat scoring plays
First inning
The Mudcat bats thundered in the first. Luke and Asher reached to set up Gavin, who blasted a three-run homer to center to get the All Blacks on the board early. But that wasn't the end of the scoring. Colin got it started again with a single, and then Quenten ripped an RBI double. Cameron's hot shot to short couldn't be fielded. With two on, Brenner laced a single to center, and Quenten came all the way around to score. Channing hustled out an RBI single to the right side, and then Will completed the scoring with an RBI fielder's choice to short.
Score after one-half inning: Mudcats 7, Riverdogs 0

Second inning
Jay got it started by roping a leadoff single to left. He moved all the way to third on Luke's single. Asher's single scored Jay, and then Gavin's deep single scored Luke. Colin's single loaded the bases, and then some aggressive baserunning forced a Riverdog miscue, allowing Asher to score on a throwing error after Quenten's pop fly to the pitcher. Cameron picked up two RBI with a single through the left side.
Score after one and a half innings: Mudcats 12, Riverdogs 3

Fourth inning
Leading off let again, Luke singled, and Asher singled for the third of his four hits. Gavin, who was also on his way to a four-hit day, singled home Luke. With one out, Quenten doubled home Asher and Gavin. Brenner drove an RBI fielder's choice to the right side to plate Quenten.
Score after three and a half innings: Mudcats 16, Riverdogs 7

Fifth inning
Will singled and moved to second on Hayden's grounder to the middle. Brayden singled in Will for the lone run of the inning.
Score after four and a half innings: Mudcats 17, Riverdogs 7

Sixth inning
Gavin singled to left and moved to second on some defensive issues. Quenten earned his fourth RBI of the day with a two-out single to left.
Score after five and a half innings: Mudcats 18, Riverdogs 7

Saturday's Web Gems

• Luke was part of another double play in the third. With runners on first and second and nobody out, the batter smoked a line drive to second. Luke grabbed it in the air, then fired to Asher at first to snuff out what could have been a big inning.
• The Mudcats got solid outfield play, including two great catches on fly balls. The first came from Will, who snagged a liner in left to end the fourth.
• The All Black outfield did it again in the fifth. This time it was Quenten who ran under a fly ball to center and ended the inning with a smooth catch.

Saturday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Mudcats	7	5	0	4	1	1	18	24
Riverdogs	3	1	3	0	0	0	7	8

Game 5: Lookouts 11, Mudcats 9

On an odd night at Nowell Field, the Mudcats outhit the Lookouts but were undone by a pair of Lookout homers and one bad defensive inning, falling 11-9 to snap a three-game winning streak.

The offensive highlight was the first career home run for Quenten, who blasted a fourth-inning pitch over the center field fence and effectively knocked Coach Jamie out of the game.

Quenten's homer drew the Mudcats within 6-5, but a five-run Lookout fifth put the 'Cats back in a hole. That's when they began to play some of their best baseball, scratching across a run in the bottom of the fifth, turning in a 1-2-3 defensive inning in the top of the sixth, then rallying for three runs in the bottom of the sixth and very nearly coming all the way back.

Special recognition--in the form of Coach Sean and Coach Adam wrestling to see who would award him the first of his double stickers--was given to Jackson after the game, as the rookie Mudcat showed incredible hustle and awareness in right field, and also found time to hit a missile in the fifth. Colin also earned a sticker for his defensive play, and Quenten collected a sticker for his home run. Cameron received a sticker for his long double in the sixth that drove in a run and prolonged the 'Cat rally.

The next Mudcat event is Wednesday's practice at Kentwood (directions are here) at 5 p.m. The next game is Saturday against the Riverdogs, also at 5 p.m.

Tuesday's Mudcat scoring plays
First inning
Luke, Asher and Gavin went back-to-back-to-back on three singles that produced an early run.
Score after one inning: Lookouts 3, Mudcats 1

Second inning
Brenner led off with a single and then put on an aggressive baserunning clinic, going to second on a defensive misplay, then hustling to third on a fielder's choice, which put him in position to score on Jackson's RBI groundout.
Score after two innings: Lookouts 3, Mudcats 2

Fourth inning
Luke and Asher led off with singles. With two on and one out, Colin reached on a fielder's choice that put runners on first and third. That meant the Mudcats needed a big two-out hit...and Quenten provided a BIIIIIIG two-out hit, slamming it over the center field fence for a two-out, three-run home run.
Score after four innings: Lookouts 6, Mudcats 5

Fifth inning
Channing reached on a grounder to the left side. He moved to second on Jackson's rocket single back through the middle. Will's fielder's choice put runners on the corners, and then Brayden smacked a single to center to score Channing.
Score after five innings: Lookouts 11, Mudcats 6

Sixth inning
Luke singled through the middle and hustled all the way to third on Gavin's single. Colin drove in a pair with an opposite field single, then advanced to second on the throw home. Quenten's fielder's choice advanced the runner, and then Cameron's long fly ball double to left scored Colin.
Score after six innings: Lookouts 11, Mudcats 9

Tuesday's Web Gems

• Luke made a nice play on a line drive in the first inning, ranging to his left to spear it.
• Channing ran under a long fly ball to left-center and made it look easy in the fifth inning.
• The All Blacks turned in two 1-2-3 innings, getting solid play from Gavin, Colin and Asher in the infield in both of those frames.

Tuesday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Lookouts	3	0	0	3	5	0	11	11
Mudcats	1	1	0	3	1	3	9	13

Game 4: Mudcats 6, Bats 5

With a pregame dance party like the above, it's not hard to see how the Mudcats once again rallied for a big win, pushing the winning run across in the top of the sixth to beat the Bats, 6-5, on Saturday morning.

Before we get to the game description, a couple notes on the above photos, in which you will notice that Asher has to take his batting helmet off in order to really break it down. First, if you'll remember Coach Sean's postgame description to the parents, he said they should all want to see "Asher's dance." If you look at the top picture, it sure looks like there is someone other than Asher--a big guy who kind of looks like a coach--dancing also. And second, the best part of the second picture is the look on Colin's face, as he wonders if it's too late to go back into the draft and find a team that is slightly less crazy.

Fortunately, he decided to stay with the All Blacks, because the Mudcats needed contributions from up and down the lineup to get Saturday's win. It was the third straight game in which the 'Cats have had to come back to get the win, and the second straight game when the winning run crossed the plate in the sixth.

"That," Coach Sean told the team afterwards, "was a really good baseball game."

This time, the solid Mudcat play was largely attributable to defense, as the 'Cats have gotten more confident in the field and have made almost the same amount of errors in the last three games combined (all wins) that they made in the first game alone (a loss). In three different innings on Saturday, the All Black defense allowed just four Bats hitters to come to the plate. Even on plays when the Bats picked up a hit, the Mudcat outfield was able to limit them to just one base, instead of allowing the ball to get by and turn into extra bases.

Everyone received stickers for the win, and offensive stickers went to Gavin (who casually just happened to hit a game-tying home run right after Coach Sean had urged the team to get the runs back they'd just handed the Bats) and Brayden (who had a game-tying RBI single in the fifth). Defensive stickers went to Gavin for his solid play at short and to Quenten for his terrific sixth-inning catch that preserved the Mudcat win.

Saturday's Mudcat scoring plays

First inning

Luke led off with a single. Asher reached on a fielder's choice, then moved to second on Gavin's single. Colin blasted a double deep to left-center that scored both runners. Quenten capped the scoring with a double down the right-field line that scored Colin.

Score after one-half inning: Mudcats 3, Bats 0

Fourth inning

The scoring description won't take long on this one: down 4-3, Gavin stepped to the plate as the leadoff man and bombed a home run deeeeeeeeep to center for the first Mudcat homer of the season.

Score after three and a half innings: Mudcats 4, Bats 4

Fifth inning

Jackson reached on a grounder to the left side, then moved to second on Will's infield single. The Bats picked up two straight fielder's choices at third to get two outs, but then Brayden lined a single to center that scored Will.

Score after four and a half innings: Mudcats 5, Bats 4

Sixth inning

Asher led off with a double to right-center. With two outs, he was still on second base, but then some adventurous base-running advanced him to third on Quenten's grounder. With runners on the corners, Cameron smacked a hot shot to the left side that scored Asher with the eventual game-winning run.

Score after five and a half innings: Mudcats 6, Bats 5

Saturday’s Web Gems

• On the first Bats hitter of the game, Luke made a nice play backing up and hauling in a popup behind second.
• With the Bats cleanup man at the plate and a runner in scoring position in the first, Luke knocked down a hot grounder at second. He threw a little wide of first, but Asher came off the bag and then got back to the bag for the force that retired the side.
• Gavin made a leaping play of a line drive at shortstop in the fifth that robbed the Bats leadoff hitter of at least a single.
• Coach Rob made a sweet play on Asher's foul ball in the sixth, casually reaching up to snag it over the fence down the left-field line...with a baby in the fan's arms right next to him.
• Quenten made a potential game-saving play in the sixth, running in to catch a hard drive by the Bats cleanup hitter that looked ticketed for extra bases.

Saturday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Mudcats	3	0	0	1	1	1	6	10
Bats	0	0	4	0	1	0	5	9

Game 3: Mudcats 11, Scrappers 10

• Game photos from the win

In what is certain to be one of the most thrilling games of the season, the Mudcats scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth to get a walk-off win, 11-10, over the Scrappers.

The victory turned Coach Sean into a prophet, as he had gathered the team in the middle of the sixth and asked, “What are we about to do?”

“Get four runs!!!” they shouted back, eager to tie the score and go into extra innings.

“No,” Coach Sean said. “Let’s get five runs and go ahead and win the game.” That, folks, is a coaching genius, made even more incredible by the fact that he was working with an inept third base coach who took a scorebook out to the third-base coaching box to write down such helpful notes as, “Call Coach Jamie and make sure he gets back from Disney World in time for Saturday’s game.”

The Mudcat offense was keyed by production up and down the order, as ten of the 11 hitters reached base and eight different players drove in at least one run. Aware that they were dealing with some questionable third-base coaching, the once-tentative Mudcat baserunners ran very aggressively in the final two innings, making some big hustle plays that contributed to the rally.

A very happy All Black postgame huddle included stickers for everyone, plus a rally-starting sticker for Jackson, a game-winning hit sticker for Colin and a defensive sticker for Gavin.

The Mudcats were almost certainly propelled to the win by the vast amount of All Black alumni in the stands at various points during the game, including Brady’s family and even Coach Andy, who did what he does best in starting the mojo—by leaving the stands.

The 'Cats will practice Wednesday night at Kentwood, and play again in the Saturday morning 9 a.m. special against the Bats.

Monday's Mudcat scoring plays

First inning

Keep in mind that all of these scoring recaps were written while standing in the third-base coaching box and my attention may not have been completely devoted to the scorebook. From what I can tell, Luke lined a leadoff single and moved to second on Asher’s single. Quenten singled, and then Channing picked up a clutch two-run single.

Score after one inning: Scrappers 3, Mudcats 2

Second inning

The bottom of the order set up the rally, as Will and Brayden reached with two outs. Luke loaded the bases with a shot to the right side, and then Asher singled in the game-tying run.

Score after two innings: Mudcats 3, Scrappers 3

Third inning

Colin and Quenten reached to start the inning, and then Channing moved the runners to second and third with a fielder’s choice. Cameron gave the ‘Cats their first lead of the day with a grounder to the right side that scored Colin.

Score after three innings: Mudcats 4, Scrappers 3

Fifth inning

With one out, Gavin blasted a double to deep right. Colin immediately drove Gavin home and advanced all the way to third, putting him in perfect position to score on Quenten’s single.

Score after three innings: Scrappers 9, Mudcats 6

Sixth inning

For some reason, all I have written down for this inning is, “Just get out of their way and keep waving them home!!!” I have no idea what that means.

Jackson led off with a single that seemed to ignite the Mudcat dugout. Will reached on a grounder to short. With two on and none out, Hayden grounded it to right and legged it out, while Jackson raced all the way around to score, drawing the Mudcats within 10-7. Brayden singled Will home, making it 10-8 and turning the batting order over. Luke singled back through the middle, scoring Brayden and bringing up Asher. I think I blacked out at that point because suddenly Asher was standing at third and Luke had scored to make it 10-10. After the Scrappers shortstop made a great play on Gavin’s line drive, leaving Asher at third with two outs, Colin rapped it back through the middle and hustled down the line to beat the throw and allow the winning run to score.

And then we all started breathing again.

Score after six heart-pounding innings: Mudcats 11, Scrappers 10

Monday’s Web Gems

• With two on and two out in the first, the Mudcats executed a textbook rundown…by not throwing the ball at all. Gavin caught a throw at second, then ran down the runner between first and second to end the threat.
• Gavin’s play started a string of seven straight outs by the Mudcat defense. Several players made plays during that stretch, including Colin snagging a pop fly and fielding a grounder, Will scooping up a pair of grounders and Asher and Gavin each grabbing a grounder.
• In what seemed like an inconsequential play at the time but ended up being big, Gavin ranged back into the edge of the outfield to spear a sinking liner in the top of the sixth. That play limited what could have been a potentially big Scrapper inning to just one run .

Monday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Scrappers	3	0	0	6	0	1	10	10
Mudcats	2	1	1	0	2	5	11	15

Game 2: Mudcats 6, Thunder 3

The Mudcats did it with defense in Tuesday night's 6-3 win, getting several run-saving plays in the field and a game-ending double play that left the Thunder's best hitter standing in the on-deck circle and the tying runs on base.

In a somewhat odd situation, the 'Cats didn't particularly play all that well--and weren't even that consistent on defense--but they did make the plays when they had to. They recorded two force outs at second from the outfield (a defensive emphasis that had been discussed before the game), got a couple of scoops at various bases in the infield, and then clinched the victory when Brenner and Gavin teamed up on a game-ending double play. The All Blacks also posted their first clean 1-2-3 inning of the season in the fourth, and they did it the hard way--going through the 3-4-5 hitters in the Thunder order.

Offensively, the spark came from the middle and bottom of the order, as Jackson and Cameron combined to drive in five of the Mudcats' six runs, and Brayden blasted one of the hardest-hit balls of the season in the fifth and turned it into a double.

A victory meant helmet stickers for everyone, and the Mudcats will get a fast chance to work on the things they need to improve, as the next practice is Wednesday night from 6:30-8 at Lexie Lane.

Tuesday's Mudcat scoring plays
Second inning
Luke led off with a line drive single back through the middle, and Channing reached on a hard grounder to third. Cameron picked up the first Mudcat RBI with a single through the left side, and then Jackson drove in a pair with a one-out single up the middle.
Score after two innings: Mudcats 3, Thunder 2

Third inning
Asher singled and then went to third on Gavin's single. Quenten brought the run home with a grounder back through the middle.
Score after three innings: Mudcats 4, Thunder 2

Fourth inning
Luke drilled a leadoff single, then hustled all the way around to third on Channing's hard-hit ball to third. With two on, Cameron came through again, this time with a single to left-center. Jackson picked up a big two-out RBI that provided a little breathing run, scoring Channing.
Score after four innings: Mudcats 6, Thunder 2

Tuesday's Web Gems

• Quenten turned in two solid plays in center field in the first inning, limiting what could have been a huge Thunder inning to just two runs. He snagged a fly ball for the inning's first out, then came in and speared a line drive for the second out of the frame.
• Another Thunder threat was snuffed in the second, as they had two runners on and two outs, but Brenner picked up a grounder at pitcher and threw to Asher at first, who scooped up the throw to end the inning and leave the Thunder scoreless in the second.
• Channing ending the third by doing exactly what the Mudcats had talked about before the game--charging in hard on a grounder to the outfield, picking it up cleanly and firing to second to get the force. 
• Suitably inspired, Colin duplicated the feat in the fifth, getting the first out of the inning by hustling in from center to stop a hot grounder. His throw was dug out by Luke on a very nice play to get the force at second.
• Gavin went into the hole in the sixth to stop a hot grounder and get the force at second in what turned out to be a big play, because every out was very precious in that final frame.
• The SportsCenter top 10 nominee of the night came on the game's final play. The Thunder's number-two hitter lifted a looping liner that looked like it might sneak over Brenner's head. But Double-B drifted back, made the catch, and fired to Gavin at second for the game-ending double play.

Tuesday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Thunder	2	0	0	0	1	0	3	9
Mudcats	0	3	1	2	0	X	6	19

Game 1: Bulls 11, Mudcats 7

In a somewhat strange season opener, the Mudcats actually outhit the Bulls, 13-12, but fell victim to the long ball and fell 11-7 at a frigid Nowell Field.

The highlight reel plays of the game were the home runs, but Coach Sean emphasized after the game how the All Blacks had opened the door for a couple of those shots with mental errors that prolonged innings and gave the Bulls extra outs. That ended up being the story of the game, as the Bulls committed just one error and twice were able to retire the 'Cats in order. The homestanding Mudcats, meanwhile, committed eight errors as they worked through some opening-game jitters.

As a testament to the scrappiness of the All Blacks, despite the defensive struggles, they kept the game close throughout and very nearly brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the sixth.

The next item on the Mudcat calendar is practice Sunday night at 5, but stay tuned in case the weather does not cooperate. The next game is Tuesday night at 5:30.

Saturday's Mudcat scoring plays
First inning
Brenner led off the season with a double. Asher singled, and then Gavin drove in Brenner with a single. Quenten picked up another RBI single, and then Luke recorded a two-out RBI that tied the score.
Score after one inning: Mudcats 3, Bulls 3

Fourth inning
Asher led off with a single to left and moved to third on Gavin's double to left-center. Colin drove in Asher with a single, and then Luke and Channing smacked back-to-back RBI singles.
Score after two innings: Bulls 8, Mudcats 6

Sixth inning
With one out, Brenner singled. Asher singled to put two on and none out for Gavin, who followed by crushing a ball to deep center that nearly cleared the fence. With no outs, the runners had to hold, but Brenner still managed to sprint home on the play.
Score after six innings: Bulls 11, Mudcats 7

Saturday's Web Gems

• The Mudcats turned in a web gem on the second batter of the season, as after a grounder in the infield, Asher recovered an errant throw quickly. The Bulls runner got too adventurous and headed for second, where Gavin was alertly covering. Asher fired to Gavin, who slapped the tag down to record the out.
• Luke ranged far to his left to scoop up a grounder in the hole between first and second, then scrambled to his feet and beat the hitter to the bag.
• In the fifth, the leadoff Bulls hitter reached. The next batter ripped a shot back through the middle that Brenner somehow dug out to get the first out. Then, with the runner straying too far from first, he fired to Asher, who used every bit of his overwhelming height to get the stretch and complete the double play.

Saturday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Bulls	3	1	4	0	0	3	11	12
Mudcats	3	0	0	3	0	1	7	13

Practice #8

If it's cloudy, drizzly and 40 degrees, that can only mean one thing--it's a Mudcat practice day. The 'Cats practiced on Ephesus Church field on a chilly Monday night. Before you read about the 90-minute practice (and 20-minute birthday party), make sure you check out the photos from Saturday's scrimmage.

Practice began with infield, outfield and hitting stations. For some reason, several parents chose to watch from the warmth of their cars.

After stations, the Mudcats spent an extended practice period on game situations, both for the benefit of the defense and for baserunners who may have to repeat some of those same situations in Saturday's season opener against the Lookouts. Of course, the primary reason for doing game situations was for Coach Sean to get practice hitting bombs.

A quick baserunning review capped practice...or so we thought. That's when it was time for things to really start getting fun, as each player had brought a cherished birthday gift for Coach Sean. Words probably can't describe it, but this photo might give you an idea:

After all the presents were opened, the only remaining question was who had more fun: Coach Sean or the kids.