The hometown Prior Lake Mudcats started their 2024 tour at home against the New Prague Orioles with a 5-3 loss on Sunday, April 21. The Orioles jumped out in front, plating two runs in the third inning before the Mudcat’s John Parker would score in the fourth off an RBI from Scott McCaustlin. The Mudcats would tally again in the fifth and seventh innings but remained outpaced by New Prague who put up another three runs between the sixth and seventh innings.
Ben Morrison started for the Mudcats and provided four innings of service, allowing two runs on three hits, striking out six Orioles, and walking only a single batter. Josh Dvorak, Jake Garfield, and McCaustlin all provided relief services. Garfield allowed three runs and four hits while the Cats defense committed three errors. Offensively, the Mudcats mustered a paltry four hits at the plate. Third baseman Bear Blaney was hot at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a stolen base. Other hits came from Alex Wattermann and McCaustlin.
After being rained out last weekend, the Prior Lake Mudcats will play on the road this Sunday, a 2:00 p.m. tilt against the Elko Express at Fredrickson Field.