The Catfish Reel.
Your Catfish Baseball News.

Alton, IL July 4 – What’s the 4th of July without fireworks? The Cape Catfish ignited a small powderkeg on the road Monday night, scoring seven runs in the sixth inning of their game against the Alton River Dragons and holding on for a 10-8 win.

The win earned Cape a split in the two-game series in Alton after the River Dragons took Sunday night’s game 7-3.

Catfish designated hitter Cam Careswell (University of Missouri) and shortstop Danny Sperling (Southeast Missouri State) each went three-for-five at the plate Monday night. Careswell’s hits included his fifth double and third home run of the season while Sperling had three singles and two stolen bases.

Cape second baseman J.D. Ortiz (SIU-Carbondale) went two-for-two at the plate, including his team-leading ninth double. He also drew three walks and stole his seventh base this season.

Center fielder Josh Cameron and catcher Ty Stauss, both from Southeast Missouri State, also contributed doubles to the Catfish offense Monday night that outhit Alton 12-10.

Catfish starting pitcher Jordan Zuger (Belmont University) lasted four innings, giving up five runs (of which only two were earned) on five hits while striking out three and walking two. Reliever Colin Bryant (West Virginia State University) pitched the fifth and sixth innings for the Catfish, striking out all six batters he faced to earn his first win of the season against no losses. Dante Zamudio (West Virginia State) earned his first save of the year, pitching the ninth inning and retiring the River Dragons in order.

Monday night’s losing pitcher was Kaskaskia College’s Bryce Zupan (0-1) who was responsible for all seven runs the Catfish scored in the decisive sixth inning.

“We had several timely hits in that big inning,” Catfish field manager Stephen Larken observed. “And good pitching allowed us to close out the W.”

With the win, the Catfish improved their record to 12-19, and are 5-5 in their last 10 games. They are tied for last place in the Prairie Land Division of the Prospect League’s Western Conference with the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes. Springfield has lost eight of their last 10 games including their last seven contests. The River Dragons are now 18-13 and remain atop the Prairie Land Division standings, a game-and-a-half ahead of the O’Fallon Hoots.

Cape and Alton will face each other two more times this week, Wednesday at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau and Thursday back in Alton. Both games are scheduled for 6:35 p.m. starts.