2024 Cape Catfish has no shortage of local flavor

There will be no shortage of reasons to attend a Cape Catfish baseball game this summer.

Capaha Field is a beautiful place to spend a summer evening.

The Catfish have proven to be one of – if not THE – most successful Prospect League franchise since their inception in 2019.

And, perhaps most importantly, the team has a plethora of local athletes who elected to stay home for the summer and represent the local team.

“There are obvious advantages for recognition,” Catfish General Manager Mark Hogan said following the team’s initial meeting on Monday. “There is a part of a ‘feel good’ part of it.”

The Catfish will open their 2024 season tonight at 7 p.m. on the road against the Jackson (Tenn.) Rockabillys, with their home opener on Thursday at 6:35 p.m. against the Full Count Rhythm.

 Cape is coming off a strong 2023 season in which it won the Prairie Land Division first half by seven games with a 22-6 record, which included a league record 12-0 start.

The Catfish finished the overall season with the second-best record in the Prospect League, going 39-18.

Hogan has spent the past nine months putting together a squad that he feels can challenge for another league title, and that group includes 11 players with ties to Southeast Missouri.

“The truth is,” Hogan continued, “the reason these guys are on the club is because we feel they are guys who are worthy of the experience to wear the Catfish uniform.”

Among the area names that will play for Cape include: Henley Parker (infield, Jefferson College, Jackson High School), Brooks Kettering (Southeast Missouri State), Cole Lemons (catcher, Jefferson College, Notre Dame High School), Kam Dohogne (pitcher, Columbia College, Notre Dame High School), Quinton Borders (infield, Crowder College, Jackson High School), Hayden Nazerenus (infield, Crowder College, Cooter High School), Will Richardson (pitcher, Parkland College, Jackson High School), Lane Crowden (infield, Southern Indiana, Jackson High School), Steven Schneider (outfield, Maryville University, Jackson High School), Cameron Marchi (pitcher, Southeast Missouri State, Jackson High School), and 2024 SEMO Conference Pitcher of the Year, John Paul Sauer (Tulane, Jackson High School).

“I don’t want to overblow it,” Hogan said, “we’re not the Yankees, but the talent pool around here is really good.

“There are a lot of dedicated kids, so they meet the standard that we are looking for.”

Several of those names are back for another season with the Catfish, including Crowden, who is in his third summer with the team.

“This environment is so great,” Crowden said last summer of his experience with the franchise. “It’s hard to not be comfortable in an environment like this.”

“It’s so great. Getting to play in front of the home crowd, a lot of my friends that I grew up with and my family is such a blessing.”

At Thursday’s home opener, the first 500 fans through the gate with a paid admission will receive a Cape Catfish T-Shirt courtesy of MERCY Southeast, Kenny's Flippin' Burgers, and Wats Not Pretzels.