Catfish bats starting slow in consecutive Ls

It’s early, so there is zero reason to be overly concerned about the Cape Catfish offensive production. However, two games into the 2024 summer season, the Catfish need to find their swings at the plate.

For the second consecutive night, Cape struggled offensively and ultimately fell 9-4 on Thursday in its home opener at Capaha Field to the Full Count Rhythm.

In the loss, the Catfish managed just two hits, and thus far, the team ranks 18th in the 18-team Prospect League in batting average (.100).

“I think that our at-bats were a lot better tonight,” first-year Catfish manager Phil Butler said following the game. “I think that we added two guys, who are going to be real successful for us.”

The Catfish (0-2) had former Jackson High School standout Lane Crowden, as well as University of Akron junior Henry Hayman available on Thursday when they weren’t on Wednesday in a 3-0 loss at Jackson (Tenn.) Rockabillys.

Against Jackson, Cape stranded 11 baserunners and on Thursday that number was still 10.

“It’s just downhill from here,” Butler said. “I think these guys are going to come around.”

On Wednesday, the Catfish got a great pitching start out of returning player Jorge Romero, but that wasn’t the case on Thursday.

Former East Carter High School thrower, and current Central Methodist pitcher, Raymond Ochoa, struggled through his two innings of work against the Rhythm.

With two outs, Ochoa allowed a single, a double, a home run, a walk, and a triple to consecutive batters, which dug the hosts a 4-0 hole.

“Really,” Butler continued, “the difference in the game was one big inning.”

The Rhythm added another three runs in the third inning to take a 7-1 lead and were never really threatened.

Ochoa finished his night having allowed seven hits, six earned runs, one walk, and three strikeouts.

Those numbers negated strong outings out of Cape relievers Owen Clark and Drew Wedgeworth.

Clark threw two innings and gave up just a couple of hits, no runs, no walks, and struck out three.

“Owen had a really good college year (at Midway University),” Butler said.

Wedgeworth closed the game over the final three innings and allowed one hit, one walk, no runs, and struck out four.

Wedgeworth is fresh out of Glendale High School and will play at Missouri State in the fall.

“He was impressive,” Butler said.

Crowden had one of his team’s two hits, as did Alex Kowalski.

Crowden added a run and a walk while Ty Allen (one run, one walk), Hayman (two walks), Easton Moore (two walks), Camren Stratton (one run), Carson McCaleb (one run, one walk), and former Jackson High School player, Steven Schneider (two walks) also contributed.

The Catfish will host the Thrillville Thrillbillies (2-0) tonight at 6:35 p.m.

Cape has dubbed each Friday home game as a “Friday Nights Under the Lights,” and will provide a gift from Cuba Financial tonight in the game, which the Catfish consider facing their toughest rival.

The first 400 fans with paid admission will receive a plastic tumbler courtesy of Cuba Financial.