Young Catfish coach has found Prospect League 'professional, talented'

First-year Cape Catfish assistant coach Nolan Davenport speaks with manager Phil Butler during a game earlier this month at Capaha Field.

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

This summer season in the Prospect League, though less than two weeks old, has proven to be a learning experience for the Cape Catfish players, but that evolution hasn’t been limited to just the guys that take the field and get at-bats.

First-year Catfish assistant coach Nolan Davenport has learned quite a bit, as well.

“I would say the professionalism of it,” Davenport said of his impression, thus far, of the Prospect League. “Everywhere that we have been, and every team that we have played, has been professional in the way that they go about things. Whether that is showing up and having (batting practice) or having the trainers available, and the talent in the league.”

The Catfish earned a hard-fought 12-6 win on Sunday at O’Fallon in 11 innings, as it scored 10 unanswered runs after falling behind 6-2. The win snapped a two-game skid, as Cape (4-7) is in last place in the Western Conference South Division.

The “talent” in the league is such that there is little margin for error(s).

Of Cape’s seven losses, five have been by one run.

“It’s a really talented league,” Davenport said. “Simple as that. I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Against the Hoots (8-4), the Catfish trailed 2-0, 5-1, and 6-2 before scoring four runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings to tie the game.

In the 11th inning, Carson McCaleb was placed on second base to start the inning and later scored the eventual game-winning run on an RBI single by former Jackson High standout Henley Parker, who advanced to second base on an O’Fallon error.

Hoot pitching gave up three walks and a pair of hits, including a double to former Jackson High star Lane Crowden, as well as committing an error in the inning.

Former Jackson High pitcher and Southeast Missouri State commit, Cameron Marchi pitched the final two innings to seal the win, as he did not allow a hit or a run while walking one and striking out two.

Crowden paced the Cape offense with three hits, three RBI, a pair of runs, and a walk while Ty Allen had a couple of hits, including a double and a home run, scored twice, drove in two runs, and walked once.

Parker (one hit, one run), Easton Moore (one hit), Corbin Mallott (two runs, three walks), Bryce Cannon (two runs, one RBI, one walk), Breck Nowick (two runs, one RBI), former Cooter High standout Hayden Nazerenus (one hit, two RBI, one walk), and McCaleb (one hit, one run, one RBI, one walk) also contributed.

Mallott, Alex Kowalski, and Crowden each had a stolen base.

The Catfish will host Rex Baseball tonight at 6:35 p.m. at Capaha Field.

Tonight’s game celebrates the Missouri Bulls baseball program, as over 200 Bulls players and family members will be in attendance.

The first 300 fans will receive a stress ball courtesy of the Missouri Bulls and Balls-n-Strikes of Cape.

It is also “Bark in the Park” night courtesy of the Skyview Animal Clinic, so fans are welcome to bring dogs to Capaha Field with Busch’s providing treats and water for the favored guests.