Nazerenus notches the BIG hit in latest Catfish W

Cape Catfish hitter Hayden Nazerenus connects with a pitch against Dubois County on Saturday at Capaha Field. His home run in the eighth inning won the game for the Catfish.

Tony Capobianco ~ Tcapobianco@semoball.com

Every athlete knows that regardless of their circumstances, it pays to be ready for an opportunity when it presents itself.

For former Cooter High School standout, Hayden Nazerenus, he took full advantage of that in Saturday’s 4-3 Cape Catfish victory over Dubois County at Capaha Field in front of 676 fans.

With the game tied at three runs apiece in the eighth inning, and Cape’s eight-game win streak hanging in the balance, Nazerenus drove a two-out Bomber pitch over the center field wall for what proved to be the game-winning run.

“His transition started slower,” first-year Cape assistant coach Nolan Davenport said of Nazerenus earlier this season, “but we have always known that he would come around.

“He has done a good job of coming around and staying, mentally, levelheaded.”

Nazerenus had played just once in a 16-game stretch earlier this month but returned to the lineup in each of the past three games and notched a hit in two of those.

On Saturday, he tallied one hit, one run, one RBI, and walked twice.

Former Jackson High star Lane Crowden hit leadoff for the Catfish (29-24 overall, 15-9 second half) and had two hits, one run, and one walk while Gunnar Doyle (one hit), Owen Henne (one run, one walk), Moises Rosario (two walks), JJ Williams (one RBI, one walk), Owen Mandler (one hit, one run, one RBI), Cordell Coburn (one hit), and Carson McCaleb (two hits, one RBI) also contributed.

Crowden, who leads the Prospect League with 46 stolen bases had two thefts, while Henne and Mandler also stole bases.

The Catfish connected for eight hits, with Nazerenus’ big hit being the lone extra-base hit.

Blake Kincaid worked six innings in the start and allowed six hits, three earned runs, walked two, and struck out four.

Former Notre Dame arm Kam Dohogne threw two innings of no-hit, no-run ball while striking out two and walking none.

Walker Brodt closed the final inning and didn’t allow a run while striking out two.

The Catfish have now won nine consecutive games and stretched their Western Conference South Division lead with the win.