Catfish shutout for the first time this season as the Cornbelters get revenge Sunday afternoon beating the Fish 2-0.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (July 23rd) – Eight games in seven days is par for the course in the Prospect League. Catfish end the week 5-3 and are 33-15 and for the first time this season since they were 3-0, they don’t hold sole possession of the best record in the league. Chillicothe won two today and coupled with the Catfish loss, the Paints are now tied with the Fish.
On a beautiful Sunday in late July, this day was more about the baseball and records and wins and losses. Today had been planned for months and it was FCA day at the ballpark. Josh Mills the local director of the FCA here in Southeast Missouri was on hands with many young volunteers and they greeted and handed out free tee shirts for those in attendance. The Catfish admitted all youngsters under the age of 18 as well and it made for a great crowd on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
As it has been all summer long, the pitching for the Catfish was incredible. Jorge Romero hadn’t given up a run in 22 innings coming in but finally was tagged for a couple in this contest. The Cornbelters were able to sneak a run across in the 6th on a 2 out single to center field by Case Sanderson (University of Nebraska), making it 1-0 Cornbelters. They plated another of reliever Jordan Riley in the 7th when an error made it 2-0. After that it was all pitching.
Cornbelter starter Drew Conn (Grandview University) came in with an era above 6.00 but he wouldn’t allow any runs and only five hits, four walks and two strikeouts. Jack Bach, a 6’4″ freshman from Central Michigan came in a shut down the Catfish pitching 3 1/3 allowing two hits and a walk to gain the save.
The Catfish had their chances but couldn’t get the key hit and had a couple base running mistakes that ended threats. At the end of the day it was a loss, only time this season the Catfish have been blanked.
After the game a handful of Catfish players testified about their faith in front of friends, family and teammates. Although no one plays this game to lose, the score was an after thought to what was important to these young men on the field later this evening. In the end it wasn’t a loss, just a lesson, a reminder of what really matters.
GAME NOTES: The Catfish are off Monday and are back at the pond Tuesday night when they welcome the Pistol Shrimp for the only time this season. Game starts at 6:35pm and tickets are available on line at capecatfish.com.
