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Catfish drop to 0-2

Cape Girardeau, MO (May 30th 2024)

The crowd was huge and the weather perfect for the 2024 Catfish Home Opener. Even the big enthusiastic crowd couldn’t will the home town Catfish to a win. The Full Count Rhythm, a new team this season from Hendersonville, TN, jumped on the fish early with a four run first and it never got much closer.

Ray Ochoa, who had a tremendous 2023 summer with the Catfish was making his 2024 debut but the guests roughed him up early with an rbi double, a 2-run homer and and rbi triple making it 4-0 before fans were settled in their seats. The Catfish got one in the bottom of the first but left the bases load when lemons and Stratton both struck out. Strike outs would be the theme for the Catfish as for the second straight game 16 Fish fanned.

The Full Count squad added three more in the 3rd and then single tallies in the 5th and 6th. The Catfish couldn’t pull any closer than 7-3 as the final score ended with a 9-4 Full Count win. “We had chances,” said head coach Phil Butler. “You can’t strike out 12 times a game and expect a good outcome.”

The Catfish managed only two hits the entire evening but were given 9 walks but could never take advantage of the gifts. The Catfish, who in 2023 started with 12 straight wins, just haven’t found their stride yet. “We’ll be fine,”said GM Mark Hogan. “We are still missing 15 players and we will be short for a few more weeks.”

The good news in the Prospect League is you don’t have to sit around too long. The Catfish host their rivalsm the Thrillville Thrillbillies at 6:35pm Friday night. “This league is very, very strong,” said club president Glenn Campbell. “Last years start and record mean nothing as we have a target on our backs and other teams have really added some talent.”

Cuba Financial will be giving away a free Catfish tumbler to the first 400 fans in attendance Friday night. See you at the ballpark.