Seven run 3rd sinks the Catfish
CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (Aug 6, 2023) – Final Prayer. It’s fitting that in a season where three players were baptized, the picture for the final game is this. This season was about much more than baseball.
On a beautiful Sunday evening at Capaha Park, 30 Catfish players and coaches were focused on one thing, winning a championship. Unfortunately a seven run, two out ambush by the Thrillbillies ended that dream.
Thrillville, a team that started out 6-13, end the season on a 26-8 run and by far the hottest team heading into the playoffs. “I said before the game, the winner of this one wins it all,” said Catfish President Glenn Campbell. “I think Ralph Santana is one of the best in the league as a GM and coach. Tonight he showed why those words are true.” Thrillville scored seven runs, all with two outs in the top of the 3rd. It happened so fast that the Catfish coaches weren’t prepared to lift their starter that fast. In the end, Romero (University of Cal), the best pitcher in the league ERA wise couldn’t get out of the 3rd. Ochoa (Cumberland University), couldn’t stop the bleeding as he gave up a 3-run bomb. In the end, all seven runs that inning and all ten runs in the game happened with two outs.
So it goes. All good things must come to an end. ‘ll write a longer more detailed version of the final game at some point but right now, I want to sit back and reflect on an incredible season. One game does not define this season, win or lose. It was so much more than baseball that happened in Cape Girardeau, MO to this Catfish team, their players, their coaches and staff. “I’ve been involved in baseball for many years and I don’t think you’ll ever see a collective group of young men this special ever again,” said Campbell.
On a perfect Sunday evening, with 1400 fans in a packed Capaha park, the season that started out 12-0 ended abruptly. Baseball is cruel, especially a one game series. In the end, memories were made, relationships forged, lives changed and 30 young men leave a summer they’ll never forget.
Thank you Catfish fans and sponsors. This doesn’t happen without your support and love. Until next summer.