The Mudcats finally got back to the .500 mark this season with a win over the Lower Twp. Marlins in a beautiful day by the beach. Weather aside, Brian "Beach Boy" Wilson took the hill for his first start and went 5 1/3 innings yielding only 3 earned runs on the day. Brandon Christy came in with the bases loaded and one out and pitched us out of the inning only yielding one run on a sac fly.  Mike Murphy came on in the ninth striking out 2 and hitting Rob "pop pop" Christ on a pick off at second to end the game. 

Defensively, the Cats' played very well with Jay "I can play anywhere" McGee making a huge stop on a bullet hit by a Marlin and from his seat threw a one hop throw that Pete "Rose" Scirotto who snow coned and held on keeping a Marlin run off the board.

Unfortunately the offense put the ball in play, but still has not been able string an offensive threat.  With only a handful of hits on the day, Brandon Christy led the way with 2 hits.  Jeff Vance added 3 runs scored including the game winner  as Pete Scirotto sac bunted Vance to second and then as he stole third, the ball was thrown away allowing Vance to plate the game winner.  Jeff Vance and Glenn Henson combined for 6 SB  in the contest.

This week, the Cats' will play visitor to the Wolfpack and former teammate Teke Erlich and company.  The Cats will try to climb above the .500 mark and put themselves back into the playoff picture.

We are playing a DH this Sunday at Millville.  Directions are Rt 55 south to exit for route 47 (cumberland mall exit)  bear right onto route 47 south.  Once you pass SH49(main street) make your second right turn.  The field is behind the City Hall.  Ware Ave and S Delsea Dr.

Our game this coming Sunday will be played at Eastern. Again at Eastern, not Bellmawr.

Also, if anyone needs to contact me use email glennhensonjr@aol.com. 

What looked like all hell was breaking loose this off season, the Cats' in their never die attitude have made great strides in the past month to add several young players to their talent pool.  Our roster has never been this deep or strong in recent memory for this Mudcat.  We have gone from almost dropping out of the league to going several players deep in many different positions.  Some of our new players do coach on local high school and college programs, so there will be times that we will not be at full strength until around start of May.

We have added from the Tri County league, a handful of young talent.  We have added from the championship squad a new starting catcher and ss.  New pitchers are also going to grace our pitching mounds this season.  Player talks are in progress with pitchers who have just retired from the professional ranks and have been out long enough to play again in our league.  My fingers are crossed. We have added a player that has played in the SJMSBL the previous seasons, but found a new home with us when his team decided not to return.

With the tireless efforts of one Rob Christ, he has turned this program around.  From the aquisition of new talent, new uniforms and a new field, we are ready to go out and play a little baseball!

The only drawback to this point, is that the weather has been less than cooperative.  We have not been able to accomplish any sort of team practice or scrimmage heading into opening weekend.  Only sparse practices at best.  The first month of the season is definitely going to be intersting trying to get all the guys on the same page and getting some field time under our belts.  

As the weather gets warmer, hopefully so will the Cats' as we try to make another playoff run this 08' season.  

I would like to welcome all our new players to the Mudcat family and best of luck to all this upcoming season.  Now lets play some baseball!!!!   GO MUDCATS!!!!

On a beautiful Sunday morning, the Cats' played visitor to the Phillies.  In a tribute to long time teammate and friend, the Phillies had the son of Sal Intelisiano, who passed away after last seasons end, throw out the first pitch to kick off the 08' campaign.   Son Nick threw a strike to Phillies catcher Nick Gruber as the Phillies lined up along the first base line to pay their respects to their fallen friend.  The Phillies displayed true friendship and sportsmanship in dedicating their season to Sal.  The Mudcats again send our sympathies to you and are sorry for your loss.

Now for the game highlights or lowlights, there was not much action on either side of the offenses.  The Phillies drew first blood with a couple of runs and the Cats' were able to cut the lead in half in the mid innings.  However, the circus like catches were followed by, well, lets say we have to get the rust out.  Phillies pitcher, Mike Greenwood kept the Cats' off balance all day by throwing repeated ground outs and fanning nine.  The Phillies capped off their day with 2 more runs in the 8th to take a 4-1 lead.  In the Cats' ninth, with two men in scoring position, a Cat asleep at the wheel got gunned down by Phillies catcher Gruber to stop the threat of a comeback.  At last count, the error total stood at7 in the IF not to include this Cats' 4 or 5 or hell what seemed like 10 past balls as there was a retard holding the catchers mit this day and I was that tardo.  THANKFULLY, we have signed from Tri Countys Championship Squad and BA leader to bolster this important position and I can go home to the green pastures of the OF.

On the positive side and yes there were some positives.  Being this was our first practice, game or scrimmage of any kind since last season, the Cats' were able to put the ball in play agaisnt one of the top pitchers in the league.  Brandon Christy threw 5 innings of solid ball yielding only one earned run.  Brian Henson followed with 2 innings of work and allowing one run.  Defensively, Mike Virga whom is back from a season ending hamstring injury, played tremendous defense in right running down balls in the swirling winds.  On the other side of the OF, Jay Mcgee made some slick fielding plays to eat up some outs.  But the amazing over-the-head catches of the day were made by 3B Anthony Cotter.     

The Mudcats will play host to the other fish from Millville this Sunday after a shocking defeat of the 07' champions Devil Rays on Sunday. WOW!  The Cats' will have their hands full this Sunday, but with the several new players being able to make their first game this Sunday, hopefully we will be able to put forth a better effort. 

The other fish from down under upended their northern counterparts after a 6 inning 1 -1 deadlock.  Brandon Christy threw six strong innings for the second time in as many weeks only to have our lack luster offense and close out pitching put a kink in his plans for the first victory.  In two outings this young season, the Cats' only have mustered 11 hits and 2 runs scored.  It is evident that the talent pool we face will not allow for many of these low scoring games.  In the three innings following Christy, our bullpen allowed 10 runs, 6 BB and 1 HBP.  We allowed the Kats' to literally walk away with the victory.  They stayed patience at the plate, worked the counts in their favor and took advantage of our misfortunes on this day.  As for the offense or lack their of, we only managed one over a half-a-dozen hits this day as the Kats' pitchers were stingy with not allowing hits or walks.  However, even with the loss, there is a lot of optimism on our team.  Several players, some of whom have just stepped onto the field after years away from the game, hit the ball hard, but could never find the open grass.

A few of our new players include Scott Lyle whom last pitched for the Atlantic City Surf, Vince Vukovich whom last played for the Clearwater Phillies, Mike Murphy whom last pitched for the Lakewood BlueClaws, Pete Scirroto whom last pitched with the Dodgers in the NABA and catcher Andrew Colanero who was last years BA and 2B leader on the Tri County Championship team.   With the addition of these newly aquired players, we are extremely confident that we will be able to put together a potent line up and have the arms to last the season.  Now we just have to find a way to bring this whole thing together and start winning a few games.  

We will be put to the test yet again Sunday when the D Rays pay visit to our fish bowl.  With both teams 0 -2 and stareing at the brown eye of every team in their division, the game should be intense to say the least.  OK their Mudcats, I think it would be fine time to put a win in the books.  Stay positive, have fun and lets start to string together those hits!