Catfish Sweep Rex Despite Rain Delays

Cape Girardeau, MO – Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025

Catfish Sweep Doubleheader After Rain Delays

After recent rain delays threatened to wash away their momentum, the Cape Catfish responded with a dominant doubleheader sweep of REX Baseball. The clouds cleared after the first inning of the second game, and Cape brought the thunder, outscoring REX 9-0 and 6-3 respectively.

Due to the excessive rain this summer, the Catfish and REX played a twin bill Tuesday night. Game one was a makeup game from a rained-out contest in Terre Haute in June, making REX the home team for that game.

Game 1: Catfish Dominate with 9-0 Shutout

The Catfish offense exploded in game one, with multiple players driving in runs. Left fielder Owen Mandler (Seton Hill University) drove in 3 runs with a bases-clearing triple in the first inning, while catcher Isaiah French (Lee University) produced four runs throughout the game.

Cooper Newsom (Harding University) and Caleb Niehaus (Indiana State University) added two more RBIs, contributing to the Fish’s huge 9-0 victory. On the mound, Dylan Peck (Barry University) earned the win, throwing six strikeouts through six scoreless innings. Mandler closed out the game, retiring the side in the final inning.

Game 2: Catfish Hold On After Rain Delay, Win 6-3

A 90-minute rain delay interrupted the night at Capaha Field, but the second game eventually started. Nathan Bowie (Harding University) drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and Brett Vondohlen (Middle Tennessee University) followed with an RBI single. Cape took an early lead and showed resilience despite the lengthy delay.

REX responded after the delay to tie the score at 2-2. Cape regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth when Caleb Niehaus homered to left field. The Catfish extended their lead when Moises Rosario (Southeast Missouri State University) drove in Mandler with an RBI single. Caleb Champion (Southeast Missouri State University) also contributed with two hits in four at-bats.

Niehaus had a standout performance, driving in two more runs with a single for Cape’s final scoring play. REX attempted a comeback with an unearned run in the final inning, but it wasn’t enough as the Catfish secured the 6-3 victory.

The second game’s win was a result of a combined pitching effort from Drew Wedgeworth (Missouri State University), Ranard Grace (Southeast Missouri State University), and Trey O’Neil (Southeastern Community College). Wedgeworth pitched the majority of the game, striking out five batters in four innings and allowing only two runs to earn the win. Grace and O’Neil pitched two and one innings, respectively, striking out three and two batters.