Thrillbillies send Fish packing for 2nd straight season
MARION, ILLINOIS (Aug 1, 2024)
Thrillville scored 8 in the first to hook the Fish and send them packing for the second straight season. Manager Ralph Santana’s Thrillbillies gave up two runs to the Fish in the top of the 1st and Catfish coach Phil Butler was feeling pretty good with his ace Dylan Peck on the mound. That feeling was short lived.
The Thrillbillies sent 13 men to the plate, scored eight runs, siz of them before an out was made. Coach Butler left his starter in a little too long in a playoff game where it’s win or go home. That decision came back to haunt him as the Catfish would go on to lose the game 13-6.
Another promising season ends quickly in the playoffs at the hands of Marion. “Tough to end the season like this but you have to tip your cap to the Thrillbillies and their staff,” said Catfish president Glenn Campbell. “Loved jumping on them early 2-0 but they answered with 8 runs in the bottom of the 1st and it was pretty much over after that. Great year and a great group of kids. They have nothing to hang their heads about.”
The Catfish had a tough first half when they finished at 13-15 and endured 7 one run losses. The second half they turned things around and won 11 of their final 12 games, 9 in a row at one point. “It certainly was an up and down season that ended on a high note until tonight,” sad GM Mark Hogan. “I want to thank coach Butler and coach Davenport and the entire team, they gave us everything they had and it was another great summer of catfish baseball.”
The Catfish will wind things down and the front office will take some time to evaluate the season before making any decisions about players or coaches. “It’s a long season and a grind,” said Hogan. “Glenn Campbell and I will take some time off and then in September start talking about what players we want to bring back and what we want to do staff wise.”
Opening Day 2025 for the Propsect League will be Tuesday May 27th. The Catfish 2025 schedule should be released sometime in early to mid December.
“We want to say thank you tom our fans,” said Campbell. “We broke attendance records for the 3rd straight season and we look forward to 2025. Thanks as well to all our sponsors who make this all possible.”