Catfish drop series opener at Thrillville

The Cape Catfish’s losing streak extended to four on Wednesday after dropping the first of a three-game series against the Thrillville Thrillbillies, 9-5, in Marion, Illinois.

The Thrillbillies took a 4-0 lead in the first inning, highlighted by a two-run triple from Jackson McCoy.

The Catfish got on the board in the second inning, thanks to an RBI single from Jude Putz.

The Thrillbillies padded their lead after Bryson Arnette hit a solo home run in the bottom of the second and drove in an extra run in the third, putting Thrillville up 6-1.

The Catfish responded with some fireworks of their own. Dee Triplett hit a solo home run in the fourth and Lane Crowden drove in a run on a triple in the fifth to pull Cape to a 6-3 deficit.

The flood gates were opened in the bottom of the fifth, as the Thrillbillies scored three runs, starting with a solo home run by McCoy, who went 3 for 4 and was a single away from a cycle.

Crowden rounded out the game’s scoring by hitting a two-run double in the seventh inning. The Jackson native and Southern Indiana product went 2 for 5 with three RBI to lead the Catfish at the plate.

Bryce Morgan started for the Catfish and was relieved with two outs in the second inning after allowing five runs on five hits. Kam Dohogne went 4.1 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits with a walk and a strikeout. Kole Turner finished the game by throwing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts.

Notre Dame alum and Three Rivers pitcher Austin Gast came out of the bullpen for the Thrillbillies and allowed two runs on one hit with three strikeouts in 1.2 innings.

The Thrillbillies (12-11) are now tied with O’Fallon (12-11) for second place in the Prairie Land Division. The Catfish (19-6) have a healthy six-game lead in the division despite their four-game losing streak.

In a Prospect League schedule that has teams close to each other playing frequently, the Catfish and newly formed Thrillbillies, who are a mere 57 miles apart, formerly arranged a three-game series in which the winner receives a plaque-like “Border War” trophy.

The series continues on Thursday at Capaha Field, 6:35 p.m., and back at Marion on Friday, 6:45 p.m.