Game 16 - Mudcats Claim Title With "Millennium Miracle"

There have been some epic battles in the past eight years between Quinn Construction and the Snappers. Add another one to the list. Last night at Millennium Field, the Quinn Construction Mudcats stunned the Snappers 2-1 with a comeback miracle in the seventh inning. On the mound, Dan Heinecke of the Snappers and Kenny Gault of the Mudcats found ways to get out of trouble and good defense was the theme for the first six innings. In the top of the first, Jake Walker singled but Jim Pasquine hit into an inning ending 5-4-3 double play. In the bottom of the first, Mike McCarthy was hit by a Gault pitch but Pat McCarthy hit into an inning ending 4-3 double play. In the bottom of the second, Brandon Whitfield singled but Clay Groff hit into an inning ending 4-6-3 double play. In the bottom of the third inning, the Snappers drew first blood when Chris Law hit a changeup that couldn't be defended over the right field fence for a 1-0 Snappers lead. In the top of the 5th inning, it looked like Quinn Construction was finally going to get to Heinecke but great defense once again reared its head. With one out, Devin Matey drew a walk and advanced to second on a Logan Simmons bunt. Eric Fairman singled, moving Matey to third. Fairman swiped second putting two runners in scoring position for Jake Walker. The West Mifflin senior laced a line drive into centerfield but was denied by a diving Pat McCarthy, keeping the score at 1-0. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Gault was running out of steam and was in some trouble. Brandon Whitfield was hit by a pitch and Clay Groff drew a walk. Chris Law tried to bunt the runners over but Gault fielded the ball and nailed Whitfield at third with the force out. Dave McCarthy drew a walk to load the bases. With one out, Tyler Holland hit a sharp ground ball up the middle to Pasquine who was standing near the second base bag for yet another inning ending 4-3 double play. In the top of the sixth inning, Quinn Construction once again had a runner at third but was denied when Heinecke struck out Luke Hils to end the threat. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Mudcats summoned their bullpen and went to veteran Corry Ryan. Ryan set the Snappers down in order 1-2-3 to set the table for the dramatic seventh inning. With one out, Devin Matey drew his second walk of the night. The Mudcats went to their bench and pinch-hit Tarran Senay for Logan Simmons. Senay was hoping for a Kirk Gibson type moment but instead got a little dribbler to the pitcher for the out at first. With two outs, Eric Fairman walked, which resulted in Heinecke being pulled in favor of reliever John Bachman. Bachman had to face the speedy Jake Walker with runners at first and second. Walker laced a sharp ground ball to second base. Mike McCarthy made a diving stab but his throw pulled Whitfield off the bag as Walker reached first safely. Whitfield then turned and threw to third base trying to nail Matey who was rounding the bag. The third baseman was blinded by the setting sun and the ball zipped past him down the left field line allowing Matey and Fairman to score with the tying and go ahead runs. In the bottom of the seventh, Ryan once again was perfect as he set down the Snappers in order to end the game and the series. Ryan earned the title clinching win for the second year in a row. Heinecke was tagged with the loss. This title gives Quinn Construction its 6th championship in the past nine years.

Date: August 2, 2021     Time: 6:30pm      Venue: Millennium Park