[PHS Coach]

Very impressed with the team and Coach Simpkins. This guy is definitely the front runner for coach of the year in the 15th region.

A couple key plays early. Great coaching strategy by Simpkins in the top of the second, having Shelton bunt to put Brown in scoring position with only 1 out. Hazards error the next batter made the score 1-0. In the top of the 4th Brown hit a triple with 2 on and 2 out to make it 4-0. Huge momentum swing at this point. If Hazard gets that out going into the bottom of the 4th 2-0 instead of 4-0 it could have been an entirely different outcome.

Then of course in the 6th the double by Crisp to empty the bases and the GRAND SLAM by Chaffin ran the score to 11-0.

Defensively the Cats were on their game behind an outstanding performance on the mound by Stapleton. Shepard was great behind the plate as usual. Great communication Anderson calling Shelton off a ground ball to make a play on the other side of second base. Welch was solid in center field as he has been all year.

These stats are not 100% accurate but a comparison of the two games played against the Bulldogs. In the first meeting the Cats walked 13, had 5 errors and struck out 9 times. Last night the Cats had 3 walks, 1 error (which resulted in a double play) and 3 struck out.

I know I singled out certain plays and players (which I normally don’t do) but this was a TOTAL TEAM effort. Congrats Blackcats and good luck at Whitaker Bank Ball Park.