With game-time temperatures in the low 90s, it was fitting that the Prior Lake Mudcats bats were also hot, delivering a whopping 13 hits in their 8-1 win over the Shakopee Coyotes on Wednesday night.
The Mudcats got things rolling in the second inning, with Jonny Houston leading off with a single. Cole Bjorge, Alex Wattermann, and Jerad Lehrer would reach on walks, loading the bases and scoring Houston. Harry Fleek singled to left, driving in Bjorge and Wattermann before the ‘Cats were finally retired.
In the third inning, the Coyotes would get on the board when Andy Lazzari doubled to right, scoring Ben Fredenburg. Shakopee would muster only three more hits during the game but remain scoreless.
The ‘Cats would plate five more runs on four hits in the seventh. CJ Schmidt and Houston singled, while Bjorge reached on an error, bringing in a run. Alex Wattermann would also reach on an error, producing two more runs; Lehrer singled, and Fleek would double to left, tallying two more runs, bringing what would be the final score of 8-1.
Ryan Wattermann got the start for the Mudcats, hurling three innings, allowing one run on two hits, walking five, and striking out five. CJ Schmidt, the winning pitcher, took over in the fourth inning, finishing the rest of the game, allowing no runs on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
Fleek and Houston led the Mudcats with three hits each, while Schmidt had two. Fleek was also credited with four RBI in tonight’s performance.
The Mudcats wrap up their 2023 season on Saturday, July 29th, with a trip to Bell Field to face the Faribault Lakers. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.