Don't look now, the Catfish are in hot pursuit of a playoff berth

Cape Catfish baserunner Lane Crowden runs after connecting with a pitch in a recent game against Thrillville at Capaha Field. Crowden had four hits, including a home run, on Sunday in a win over Jackson.

Tony Capobianco ~ Tcapobianco@semoball.com

At the beginning of this month, the Cape Catfish signed several new players and gave a couple of existing regulars a few days off during the July 4th holiday. First-year manager Phil Butler felt when he had his full complement of players returning, his squad had a chance to compete among the best teams in the Prospect League.

“We’re getting those guys back,” Butler said at the time. “Our plan is that this week is the week that we roll.”

The Catfish didn’t “roll” initially, but did eventually, and following Sunday’s 13-9 victory over Jackson (Tenn.) at Capaha Field in front of 563 fans, they have now won eight of their past 11 games and are in the thick of the postseason chase.

After falling behind 9-1 in the sixth inning, Cape (23-24 overall, 9-9 second half) methodically climbed back with 12 runs scored over its final four at-bats, including five runs in the eighth inning.

No Catfish player was more effective than former Jackson High School standout Lane Crowden, who crushed a home run and finished with four hits, two runs scored, three RBI, a walk, and a pair of stolen bases.

Southeast Missouri State sophomore-to-be Brooks Kettering hit a triple to go with a run scored and an RBI while Owen Henne ((two hits, two runs), Moises Rosario (two runs, two walks), JJ Williams (two runs, one hit, one RBI, one walk), Owen Mandler (one hit, two runs, two RBI, one walk), Carson McCaleb (two hits, two runs, two walks), and Alex Kowalski (two hits, four RBI, one walk) were also productive.

Kettering and Henne also stole a base each.

Former Notre Dame thrower Kam Dohogne threw three innings in the start and allowed three earned runs on four hits. However, relievers Connor Pierce, Breck Nowick, Bryce Kemper, and Jordan Riley worked the final 5 2/3 innings and didn’t allow an earned run, and gave up just two hits.

The Catfish utilized seven arms in the win.

The win pulled the Catfish to within one game of South Division-leading O’Fallon.

Cape will visit the Full Count Rhythm (23-24, 11-8) on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.

The Catfish will return to Capaha Field on Wednesday at 5 p.m. for a doubleheader against Springfield (18-27, 10-9).

Wednesday will be the final United Way “WINS” day of this summer, which means it is “573 Night” and general admission tickets cost just $5.73.

One ticket allows you to watch both games. Tickets from the rained-out July 9th game will be honored.

The United Way of Southeast Missouri will have on hand the Therapeutic Mini Horses for fans to visit with.