Crowden’s wheels making staggering impact early in Catfish homecoming

Cape's Lane Crowden stands on third after stealing a pair of bags during a Wednesday, June 12, 2024 game between the Cape Catfish and the Thrillville Thrillbillies at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Thrillville defeated Cape, 7-6.

Tony Capobianco ~ tcapobianco@semoball.com

Lane Crowden is off to one of the greatest starts in Prospect League history on the basepaths.

The Jackson High School alum has 22 stolen bases in 23 attempts, a success rate of nearly 96 percent, in just 13 games for the Cape Catfish this year.

It should go without saying that by averaging nearly two stolen bags a game, it puts him on record watch for the season.

Crowden has risen to the top of the Prospect League this season with 22 steals on the year, rocketing to the peak with six stolen bases in Wednesday’s 7-6 loss to Thrillville.

“It feels good,” Crowden said. “I’ve got it working right now, and thankfully, I'm getting on base and getting opportunities to get those steals.”

The record for steals in a Prospect League season is 52, accomplished last season by ​​Slater Schield of Terre Haute.

If the Catfish shortstop can continue to play at this ridiculous pace, he’s on track to steal a mind-boggling 98 bases this season.

Now, obviously, that’s not going to happen. But that’s the pace he’s been playing with, and nobody has figured him out just yet on the basepath.

Certainly Crowden’s biggest year in the green and gold so far, he’s had a long-term presence with the Catfish, now entering his third year in total with the program.

Fighting off injuries earlier in his career, Crowden has emerged as one of the top bats on this Catfish roster as they claw for supremacy in a deep, tough South Division.

He’s got the team’s second-highest average at .310, second only to fellow Jackson Indian and middle infielder Henley Parker’s .325.

Returning home to play for Cape once again, Crowden spoke highly of the opportunity to play for such a prosperous and talented program.

“The history behind this program is a history of winning a lot and having fun doing it, and that makes for a great summer,” Crowden said. Doing what you love when in and just having fun with it.

“That's what pulls me back in for it, and being at home to really appreciate it.”

Fresh off a deep Ohio Valley Conference Tournament run with the University of Southern Indiana, Crowden became a local success story a few years ago as he made the climb to Division I.

Initially starting at nearby Three Rivers Community College, he made a splash impact with the Raiders over his two years at the junior college level before getting a chance to move up.

His first year with the Screaming Eagles coincided with their first year among the Division-I ranks, but a lower-body injury sidelined him for most of his first season there.

Coming back for his second-to-last year of eligibility with Southern Indiana this past season, he became one of the team’s top contributors with 39 hits for 32 RBIs.

A feisty cog in a deep OVC, the Screaming Eagles fought for their place in the conference, finishing over the .500 mark with a 14-13 record in the Ohio Valley regular season.

Bowing out after two early wins in the conference tournament, including knocking off No. 1 Little Rock, it was a heck of a ride for the 2024 USI ballclub.

After two years spent with the youthful Southern Indiana, it’s the transfer portal for Crowden as he approaches his final season of college eligibility and explores his options.

Nevertheless, he was all smiles and had nothing but pleasant things to say about the Division-I club that gave him a shot over the past two years.

“I met some of the best friends there,” Crowden said. “I mean, I'll have those friends up there for the rest of my life. They're super – I mean, they’re family.

“It was – it was really good.”