The Catfish Reel.
Your Catfish Baseball News.

JACKSON, TN (June 2) – Anyone keeping a scorecard during Friday night’s Prospect League game between the Cape Catfish and the Jackson (Tennessee) Rockabillys may have given up in the late innings as the Fish scored 10 unanswered runs and won 13-4.

Six of those runs were scored in Cape’s final at bat, blowing open a game which Jackson had led 4-3 after the first five innings.

The loss dropped the Rockabillys’ record to 0-3 while the Catfish remained undefeated after two road games to open the 2023 season heading into their home opener Saturday against the Rockabillys at Cape Girardeau’s Capaha Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

Catfish center fielder Chris Hall (Lincoln Memorial University) went five for five at the plate Friday night, reaching base six times (he was hit by a pitch during one plate appearance) and scording four of Cape’s 13 runs. After two games, Hall is batting a torrid .700 (7 hits in 10 at bats) and has five stolen bases, including the four he swiped Friday night.

Hall also had a pair of runs batted in against the Rockabillys to go along with his perfect night at the plate. Other Catfish RBIs Friday night were picked up by designated hitter Kaden Jeffries (Metropolitan Community College) who had three: two each by shortstop Justin Carinci (Eastern Kentucky) and second baseman Kevin McCarthy (Tennessee Southern): and one credited to left fielder Brody Chrisman (Purdue).

Chrisman had a pair of doubles while Catfish first baseman Dee Triplett had a double and a triple to go along with a single in a three-for-five night. Overall, the Catfish pounded out 19 hits while holding the Rockabillys to just eight, four off Catfish starter Breven Yarbro from Chaffee, who surrendered two runs, and four by reliever Noah Gadberry (Delta State) who also allowed two runs.

Catfish reliever Dylan Peck (Florida State College at Jacksonville) was credited with the win, pitching two-and-two-thirds innings, allowing no hits and no runs while recording four strikeouts. The losing pitcher was Rockabillys reliever Ethan Orwig (Union University) who allowed nine runs (eight earned) on nine hits in the final three frames.

Rockabillys’ starting pitcher Tyler Smith (University of South Alabama) pitched the first five innings, allowing three earned runs while striking out 10 Catfish batters.

“He (Smith) pitched out of several jams,” commented Catfish Manager Scott Little, “and we were fortunate to have a number of scoring opportunities (late in the game).  Overall I think we did a great job competing.”