The Catfish Reel.
Your Catfish Baseball News.

HENDERSONVILLE, TN (July 23rd, 2024)

2 weeks ago as the Catfish fell to 1-5 to start the second half, other teams like the Rockabillys and Hoots were streaking to 6-0 and 5-1 starts and things didn’t look good for the Fish. What a difference a couple of weeks can make. After a 6-2 win Tuesday night, the Catfish are now 10-9 and are in sole possession of 1st place with eight games left.

The Catfish hopped on the bus at 1pm and took the almost four hour drive to Hendersonville, TN to take on the hottest team in the Prospect League, the Full Count Rythmn. The Rythmn are in a dog fight with the REX for a playoff spot and both the Fish and FCR were 7-3 in their last 10 games. Someone was going to lose and the FCR had their stud, an Auburn transfer, Cameron Keshock, on the bump and they were feeling good as they didn’t have to hop off a bus.

Jorge Romero has been outstanding again this season and he was on the mound for the Fish. The Catfish got all they would need in the top of the 1st. JJ Williams (Lee University) led off with a double. With one out Owen Henne (Seton Hill Univeristy) doubled to score Williams. Roserio (Lake Land College) drew a walk and then both players stole. Owen Mandler (Seton Hill University) singled in Henne making it 2-0. Cordell Coburn (Western Illinois) walked to load the bases with still only one out. Rosario would score on a wild pitch while everyone moved up a base and Alex Kowalski (Lincoln Memorial Univeristy) would single in Mandler and the Catfish were up 4-0 before Romero took the mound.

Romero (Western Illinois) was lights out. He threw five full innings allowing one runner to score and that was on a wild pitch. He struck out eight and walked none dropping his era to 2.70 for the season. He also picked up his 4th win against zero losses. “Jorge is getting hot at the right time and will be a big part of the playoff run these next few weeks,” said assistant coach Nolan Davenport.

The Catfish tacked on two more runs in the second inning when JJ Williams banged a one out single to left, stole second and scored on a single by Henne. Henne then scored on a wild pitch making it 6-0.

The bullpen has been great the last two weeks and tonight was no exception. Bryce Kemper (FSCJ) pitched a scoreless 6th but got into a little trouble in the 7th when he walked a couple of Rythmn players and allowed a run. With runners on first a second and one out and the momentum swinging to FCR, coach Phil Butler called on his hottest bullpen arm, Jordan Riley (Butte College). Riley struck out two hitters to end the threat in the 7th and then pitched a scoreless 8th striking out the side and then got the first two hitters in the 9th before Butler pulled him. “His pitch count was above 40 and that’s by far the most he’s thrown,” said Catfish skipper Butler. “We need him healthy and I had Walker Brodt warm in case he got into trouble.”

Brodt (Winthrop) got the first batter to ground out and he got credited with the save and the Catfish beat Full Count at thier place for the second straight time and coupled with a Hoots loss took over sole possession of first place for the first time this season.

Catfish are 10-9, Hoots 10-10, Billys 10-11 and Alton is 9-11. All four teams fighting for a chance to play the Thrill August 2nd in Marion. This next eight game stretch will decide the deal and the Fish have back to back games with Alton this week and O’fallon next week.

Tomorrow the Fish host the Lucky Horseshoes in a double header at Capaha. The first game starts at 5pm, gates open at 4:30. You can buy tickets at capecatfish.com or at the gate.