The Catfish Reel.
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CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (June 5) – The Catfish offensive juggernaut continued Monday night as the Cape team pounded out a dozen hits, circled the bases 14 times, and shut out the O’Fallon Hoots at Capaha Field 14-0.

The win extended Cape’s winning streak to five to start the 2023 season. It was also the third straight Catfish victory that ended in the seventh inning under the Prospect League’s 10-run mercy rule. In their first five games, the Catfish have outscored their opponents by a combined score of 59-11.

Just as they’ve done in every game this season, the Catfish scored early Monday night, pushing four runs across the plate in their first at bat on the strength of a lead off single by Chris Hall (Lincoln Memorial University), a triple off the center field wall by Jeff Clarke (Belmont), a run that scored from third when the O’Fallon catcher unsuccessfully tried to throw out a Catfish runner stealing second, and another tally by a Catfish runner who evaded a tag at home on a botched rundown play.

The Fish went on to score in every inning except the second, plating three in the third, three in the fourth, three in the fifth and one more in the sixth. Among the game highlights was a three-run homer in the fourth into the SoutheastHEALTH Home Run Deck by left fielder Brody Chrisman (Purdue). It was his first long ball of the season and the first home run for the Catfish as well.

Chrisman has the seventh-highest batting average in the Prospect League at .487, but three of his teammates — Clarke, Hall and Justin Carinci (Eastern Kentucky) — have batting averages that are ranked one, two and three in the league at .667, .619 and .545, respectively.

Catfish pitchers allowed just two O’Fallon hits Monday night, a lead-off single by center fielder Angelo Luna (Parkland College) in the first inning and a single in the second frame by second baseman Tyson Ludwig (Lindenwood). Both hits were off Cape starting pitcher Dylan Peck (Florida State College at Jacksonville) who also struck out three Hoots and walked four over three innings. Relievers Raymond Ochoa (Mineral Area College), Curry Sutherland (Missouri State) and Jordan Riley (University of Nevada) pitched no-hit shutout ball over the final four innings.

There were no fielding errors by either team and the Catfish executed a pair of double plays including a dazzling 5-4-3 DP to end the game.

With the win, Cape improved their league-leading record to 5-0 while the Hoots fell to 1-4.

The Fish are back in action Tuesday night when they take on the Alton River Dragons on the road. First pitch Tuesday is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. The Catfish return to Capaha Field Wednesday to face the Danville Dans in a 6:35 p.m. tilt. Tickets for Wednesday night’s game are available at www.capecatfish.com.