Catfish split the first of back to back double headers with the Thrillbillies
CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (July 18th, 2024)
The Catfish and the Thrillbillies are no strangers to each other. The two teams are located about 70 miles apart and had split the first four games this season 2-2. The Catfish were in an almost must win mode trailing the Hoots by -3.5 games while the Thrill is just coasting waiting on someone to come play them at their place August 2nd when the playoffs start.
In game one it looked like the Thrillbillies were the team needing to win and the Catfish looked like they didn’t need to. In game one of the “Battle for the Border”, it was all Thrill. They jumped on Catfish starter Ray Ochoa (Spring Hill University) early as he walked two and then gave up a grand slam. The Thrill would tack on three more in the 3rd and another in the 5th on their way to an 8-0 victory.
The Catfish out hit the Thrillbillies 10-7 but hit into three double plays. Thrillbillie starter J Henry Hobson was just good enough and picked up the win as he pitched six scoreless.
Game two was just the opposite. Dylan Peck (FSCJ), fresh off his pitcher of the week award, pitched five more scoreless innings ti run his streak to 13 consecutive scoreless innings spanning three games. He struck out six and walked one and left after five with a 5-0 lead. Korey Bunselmeyer (Univeristy of Illinois)came in and pitched two scoreless. Offensively JJ Williams (Lee University), Moises Rosario (Lakeland College) both had two hits and rbi’s to lead the charge.
There were almost 1000 people in attendance as the Catfish celebrated Captain Catfish’s birthday by giving out 500 bobbleheads to fans.
Next Game Friday July 19th at Marion Illinois. The Catfish and Thrillbillies will play another double header.