Arkansas backstop finding his rhythm of late with the Catfish

It’s taken a few games for Cape Catfish catcher Cal Kilgore to find his footing this summer, which is understandable, given he spent this past spring at Arkansas as a redshirt sophomore not playing.

“I’ve been battling through a couple of things,” Kilgore said recently. “But it is finally nice to get out here and play.”

Kilgore has had his most productive outings – offensively – over the past week, so perhaps this is a sign of things to come, as the Catfish (26-10 overall, 4-4 second half) try to maintain their positive momentum toward the franchise’s third postseason appearance in its four years of existence (the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID).

The club has already qualified for the postseason next month after running roughshod through the Prospect League in the first half and winning the Prairie Land Division with a 22-6 record.

For Kilgore, a native of Overland Park, Kansas, he is ecstatic to be out on the diamond once again following a frustrating start to his collegiate career.

As a freshman at New Mexico State in 2022, Kilgore was incredibly productive until he tore his labrum (shoulder).

He played in 35 games (with 33 starts) that spring for the Aggies and hit .250 while scoring 12 times.

Kilgore hit eight doubles and drew seven walks, but after getting injured, decided that he wanted to transfer to Arkansas.

“I tore my labrum and (New Mexico State) was kind of ‘iffy’ on whether they wanted me to come back and play through it,” Kilgore said. “I left on good terms, but it was kind of a weird situation with my injury.”

He spent this past season in Fayetteville training, where he became close with former Kennett High School standout Reese Robinett.

“Reese is actually one of my closer buddies,” Kilgore said. “He’s a quiet kid when you don’t know him, but once you get to know him, he’s actually a really funny guy.”

Kilgore has caught nine games for Cape this summer and the last two have been his best AT the plate, if not behind it.

In three official at-bats, he has scored three runs, had one hit, and an RBI while drawing five walks.

“Cal has done a fine job (at catcher),” first-year Catfish manager Scott Little said. “He’s got a good swing. I think eventually he will start hitting. But right now, he has been better defensively.”

One thing that Kilgore has enjoyed this summer is being part of the Catfish.

“Things are starting to go a little bit better,” Kilgore said of his recent surge. “I’m having fun and I love this team. Winning is number one, but everyone is a great teammate. There are a bunch of good guys from everywhere.

“It’s been cool to meet guys from everywhere around.”

The Catfish will visit Alton on Thursday at 6:35 p.m.

Cape will return to Capaha Field for a doubleheader on Friday against Thrillville. The opening game will start at 3 p.m., followed by Game 2 at 6:35 p.m.