Thundercat Baseball & Softball Club

After dropping their opener in pool play to the Waukesha Firebirds 4-1, the 9U’s found themselves down to the Columbus Renegades 6-2 after 3 innings but battled back for a dramatic 10-7 comeback victory to put the Cats at 1-1 going into Sunday’s critical match-up against the also 1-1 Pewaukee Pirates.

.

In this elimination game, the Cats found themselves no-hit and down 2-0 after 3 innings, despite great starting pitching from Ryan Brown and Brady Annen in relief. The spark came on a Caleb Quest fly ball that somehow found its way between Pirate defenders to land for a base-hit. The flood gates broke open when Josh Caron hit a one-out, go-ahead, 2-RBI single. The Cats posted a 6-run fourth. Annen closed with a 4 –batter top of the fifth and the game was over by a score of 6-2, with the Cats advancing to the semi’s as a # 2 seed.

.

Facing #1 Seed Beaver Dam, the Cats put together arguably their best game of the season. The Cats outhit Beaver Dam 8-4 and committed only 1 fielding error, while the pitching of Josh Caron, Hayden Echols, and Andy Nordloh kept the game under control the entire way. Highlights at the plate included a two-out Caleb Quest RBI-double in the second. Hayden Echols was 2x2, 2B, 2R. With the 8-2 win, the Cats advanced to their second championship game in as many tournaments.

.

Facing the Waukesha Firebirds again, the Cats - behind solid starting pitching from Caron and relief from Brown - kept it close through 4, finding themselves down only 3-2 after a 2-out, 2-RBI Brady Annen double in the top of the fourth breathed life into the team. In the top of the fifth, the Cats had the lead-off batter on, but could not plate the run, leaving bases loaded. In the bottom half the Firebirds got six of their nine hits, powering them to a 10-2 win and leaving the ThunderCats with a respectable second-place finish.

The U11 boys continued their hot streak at the spring Thundercat "Cat" Classic this past weekend, battling through an 8-team field to finish 2nd. The Cats controlled their pool in the prelims, going 3-0 by outscoring their opponents 52-4 with three solid pitching performances from Logan Pampel, Justin Swanson and Riley Zirbel while the Cats pounded out 44 hits. In the semis, the Cats ran into a tough Waukesha Blazers team slipping behind 1-0 before erupting for 5 runs in the bottom of the second on the strength of a 2-run triple by Swanson, followed by another run-scoring triple by Zirbel. Swanson then came to the hill in relief of starter Alex Ryan for the final 3 innings, holding the Blazers to 2 hits while striking out 3 to preserve an 8-3 win and send the Cats into the finals. In the finals, the Cats squared off with the Kenosha Merchants who were also 4-0 on the weekend. The Cats jumped out to an 3-1 lead early when Alex Ryan hit his 3rd home run of the tournament, scorching a 250-foot line drive over the left fielders head for a 2-run blast. Swanson again was in command on the hill for the first 3-innings allowing just 3-hits and striking out 4, but the Cats bullpen couldn’t hold the Merchants down as they battled back with a 6-run fourth. Despite two late runs on run scoring singles by Reed Garsky and Ryan, the Merchants held on for a 10-6 win.

Along with a solid (8) team tournament field, the U12's boys battled rain, sleet, wind & cold temperatures to finish 2nd in the Thundercat "Cat" Classic. Cat pitching dominated in the preliminary round, where the boys finished pool play at 3-0, allowing only (5) runs in their (3) games while scoring (18), earning the #1 seed from their pool heading into the semi finals against a very good Pleasant Prairie Predator team, the boys started to gel in all phases for the first time this year. Although Pleaseant Prairie hung (3) in the top of the first, the boys grinded all game long, scoring (1) in every inning to finally take the lead in the bottom of the 5th at 5-4. Cat Pitcher Bailey Banaszynski, who came in in relief in the top of the 2nd, closed out his outstanding (5) inning relief performance in the top of the 6th with a slow come backer to end the game and send the Cats to the finals against the Appleton Panthers. In the finals, the Cats jumped on the Panthers in the top of first inning, scoring (2) runs, before stumbling defensively the rest of the game, ultimately causing their demise. In the U10 bracket, the Waukesha Blazer Warhawks beat the DePere Bulldogs, 4-2, to take home the Championship in what was a very solid U10 field as well, with each of the (8) teams in the field recording at least (1) win on the weekend. Congratulations to all (4) teams on a successful weekend.

The Madison Mallards will be hosting Thundercat Baseball and Softball and our supporters for a night at the ballpark on Thursday, 8/1, for a 7:05pm first pitch. The Mallards will be playing the Willmar Stingers. Tickets are just $10 each and include a reserved field box seat and a Mallards hat. In addition, someone from Thundercat Baseball and Softball will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Tickets must be purchased through the online portal at www.mallardsgroups.com, enter "thundercat", click on "Buy" and choose your seats (Green are available).  The Mallards average over 6000 fans per game in 2012. Tickets will be made available through the portal until 7/18

The 2013 Thundercat "Cat" Classic tournaments are now officially sanctioned by Nations Baseball (www.nations-baseball.com) making Thundercat Baseball the first Wisconsin club to host a Nations Baseball sanctioned event. Thundercat Baseball will be covering any fees associated with sanctioning 2013 participating teams with Nations and will be covering any fees associated with making sure that each team meets the Nations Baseball minimum insurance requirements for the weekend. This will NOT cost participating teams anything outside of the $325 tournament registration fee. With over 50 teams already registered, sanctioning with Nations Baseball will allow us to give each team an even better experience by utilizing Nations free text messaging services for game score, weather and schedule updates, and by utilizing the Nations Baseball website to post schedules, game results and standings. In addition, each of our tournaments are now qualifying events for Nations Baseball's national championship tournaments. Teams still looking to register for one of our events, should visit our tournament pages located in the left hand column for all of the appropriate registration paperwork.

The U12 boys traveled to Players Choice in Appleton for the Appleton Panthers Annual Holiday Indoor Tournament this past weekend. Using wood bats for the first time against a tough field, the boys adjusted well offensively stringing together a couple nice wins against a solid Wisconsin Elite team and the Erickson Wrecking Crew to take the #2 seed in pool B to advance to the semi-finals at 2-1. In the semis, the boys were paired against a very good Hitters Academy out of Racine were pitching and defense kept the game close before the boys manufactured (4) runs in the 5th to take a 5-2 lead. Hitters didnt go quietly in the 6th by getting the first two on in the top of the inning but the boys were able to strand them closing it out with a 5-2 win. In the finals, the Cats struggled defensively early, giving up 6 runs in the top of the first, 5 of which were unearned. The inning seemed to deflate the boys who were playing their 4th game of the day and they never recovered, ultimately dropping the contest to a loaded Appleton Panther team 7-0. On the weekend, the Cats threw (7) different pitchers but Alan Albrecht, Bailey Banaszynski, Jake Wilde and Ryan Brost shouldered the load working (6) innings each and combining for only (3) earned runs and (30) strikeouts. Spencer Hans and Nate Brown lead the Cats offensively with (5) and (4) hits respectively and (3) RBI's each.

Thundercat Baseball & Softball Club is hosting a FREE two day softball clinic for girls 12 years old and younger as of January 1st, 2013 at our 6100sqft indoor facility located at W8353 Finch Brothers Road in Lake Mills. We will limit participation to the first (30) players registered. The focus of the clinic will be on the fundamentals of hitting, throwing, catching and fielding. Specialized coaches will be on hand to give your daughter individual instruction and feedback. This clinic is open to players at all skill levels. Each player is responsible for her own equipment (Bat, glove, helmet, athletic shoes, etc). Parents are welcome to spectate. Simply click on the "2012 Softball Clinic" link located on the 10U Thundercat Girls page located in the left hand column.

The 3rd annual Thundercat "Cat" Classic baseball tournament weekends are set for May 11th-12th (U10 & U12), May 18th-19th (U9 & U11), July 5th-7th (U10 & U12) and July 12th-14th (U9 & U11). Our tournaments have gained the reputation as some of the finest tournaments in the state of Wisconsin. All games will be played at Centennial Park in Johnson Creek and will feature pool play with both semi finals and championship game at each level, 3-game guarantee, (2) licensed professional umpires per game, (3) new game balls per game, high level competition, full baseball rules at the U11 & U12 level, modified little league rules at the U9 & U10 level, individual and team awards for the top (2) teams at each age level per weekend, coaches gifts, player welcome packets, modern facility with grounds crews, full concessions, convenient lodging within (5) minutes of the park and great local attractions including the Johnson Creek Outlet Mall. Our tournament have hosted over (100) teams in our first two years and we fully expect fo sell out again this year. Please visit the "Tournaments" page in the left hand column for additional information and registration forms

We will be conducting open tryouts for our 2013 U8 Thundercat Boys Baseball team on Saturday, November 17th, from 2:00-4:00pm for all boys interested in competing for a roster spot. Tryouts will be held at out indoor practice facility located at W8353 Finch Brothers Road, Lake Mills, WI 53551

.

Please contact Kyle Hans at kylehans@thundercatbaseball.org or 920.342.3227 with any questions prior to the tryout date or vist the "U8 Thundercat Boys" page located in the left hand column for additional information regarding our baseball program

.

Tryout Details are as Follows:

• Thundercat Baseball and Softball has NO boundary restrictions. We currently have rostered players from over (25) different cities
• There is no tryout fee however a $100 commitment depost is required upon check-in. Your deposit will be returned, within one week via mail, if your son is not selected to one of our 2013 teams. If your son is offered a roster spot and declines, the deposit is forfeited. If your son is selected, the deposit is applied towards his 2013 registration fees
• There is no pre-registration. All paperwork will be present at the time of check-in at the facility
• Arrive a minimum of (15) minutes prior to your scheduled tryout session
• No player may turn older than his respective age level before May 1st. (Ex: U8 baseball players can not turn 9 years old before May 1st, 2013)

We will be conducting open tryouts for our 2013 U10 Thundercat Girls Softball team on Saturday, November 17th, from 9:30-11:30am for all girls interested in competing for a roster spot. Tryouts will be held at out indoor practice facility located at W8353 Finch Brothers Road, Lake Mills, WI 53551

.

Please contact Kyle Hans at kylehans@thundercatbaseball.org or 920.342.3227 with any questions prior to the tryout date or vist the "U10 Thundercat Girls" page located in the left hand column for additional information regarding our softball program

.

Tryout Details are as Follows:

• Thundercat Baseball and Softball has NO boundary restrictions. We currently have rostered players from over (25) different cities
• There is no tryout fee however a $100 commitment depost is required upon check-in. Your deposit will be returned, within one week via mail, if your daughter is not selected to one of our 2013 teams. If your daughter is offered a roster spot and declines, the deposit is forfeited. If your daughter is selected, the deposit is applied towards his 2013 registration fees
• There is no pre-registration. All paperwork will be present at the time of check-in at the facility
• Arrive a minimum of (15) minutes prior to your scheduled tryout session
• No player may turn older than her respective age level before January 1st. (Ex: U10 softball players can not turn 11 years old before January 1st, 2013)