Ortiz & Hill Go Long in Loss
Alton, Ill., June 2 – The Cape Girardeau Catfish, 2021 Prospect League champions, are searching for their first win of the ’22 season after losing 7-3 Thursday night to the Alton River Dragons at Lloyd Hopkins field in Alton, Illinois.
The Catfish are now 0-2 while the River Dragons have started the season 2-0.
Cape had an opportunity to take an early lead, loading the bases in the first inning, but failed to score, opening the door for Alton to plate two runs in the bottom of the first frame.
The Catfish cut the lead in half on Cam Hill’s solo home run in the top of the second, but Alton answered with single tallies in the second and third to take a 4-1 lead. Catfish shortstop J.D. Ortiz hit his second homer in as many nights in the top of the fifth, this one a two-run shot, to cut the River Dragons’ lead to 4-3, but that was as the end of Cape’s scoring. Alton went on to score two in the sixth and one more in the seventh to make the final score 7-3.
Alton outhit Cape 10-6 and had the game’s only error. Catfish starter Jordan Zugger (0-1) took the loss, giving up seven hits and four earned runs in three innings while striking out five and walking one. Colton Huntt (1-0), the River Dragons starter, got the win, allowing four hits and three runs while striking out five and walking four Catfish.
Cape’s home opener is Friday night against the Lucky Horseshoes of Springfield, Illinois. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. at Capaha Park.