Catfish endure rare loss, but Chrisman keeps on keepin' on

The Cape Catfish lost its third game in 22 outings this summer on Saturday, as it fell to Alton 5-1 at Capaha Field in front of 677 fans. The defeat proved that, yes, it is possible for the Catfish to lose a game, though it is an extreme rarity.

The same can be said for the offensive production of outfielder Brody Chrisman. It is possible for him to struggle at the plate, but like a Cape defeat, it’s not very likely to occur.

“I like the fact that he is a line drive hitter,” first-year Catfish manager Scott Little said following the loss to the River Dragons. “He hits to all fields. He puts the barrel on the baseball.”

In Friday’s win over Jackson (Tenn.), the Catfish only mustered four hits as a team. However, Chrisman had one of those to go with two RBI.

On Saturday, Cape (19-3) could only produce one run on six hits, but Chrisman was responsible for half of those hits.

“It is everything that I could have wanted,” Chrisman said of his success this summer. “I was dreaming about this the entire time.”

It’s been almost a year since Chrisman has been able to compete in game situations.

The 6-foot-3 athlete from Zionsville, Indiana spent the past year as a redshirt player at Purdue and only participated in intrasquad games and in the batting cage. He has made up for lost time quickly this summer.

“I have been sitting on the sidelines (just) cheering on,” Chrisman said. “So, I am surprised, but it is also what I expected from myself.”

Little admitted that he didn’t know what to expect this summer from any of his players. The entire roster is new to him, and vice versa. However, Chrisman has made an indelible impression and has played in every single game thus far.

He leads the Prospect League in games played (22), hits (37), total bases (61), and slugging percentage (.792).

Chrisman ranks second in home runs (five), RBI (37), and batting average (.481), and third in runs scored (23), doubles (nine), and on-base percentage (.543).

Quite frankly, Chrisman has made a legitimate argument for being the Most Valuable Player in the league, thus far.

“He has been a force all year,” Little said. “There is nothing about him that you don’t love.”

Of the 22 games in which Chrisman has played, he has had at least one hit in 19 of those, with two of the “0-fors” being in games in which he only had one at-bat.

On Saturday, The River Dragons (9-13) scored a pair of runs in the first inning off Cape starter Curry Sutherland, and then three more off of middle reliever Breven Yarboro.

Catfish lead-off hitter Justin Carinci had one hit and the lone Cape run scored while Kevin McCarthy and Jacob Danneman added one hit each.

The Catfish will return to Capaha Field on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. against the Jackson (Tenn.) Rockabillys.

Cape fans are encouraged to bring their “best friends” to Capaha for the game for the weekly “Bark in the Park” night. Every Tuesday fans’ dogs will be welcomed and receive treats and a gift courtesy of the fine folks at Skyview Animal Clinic.

In addition, the first 300 fans in attendance will receive a free pair of Catfish sunglasses courtesy of Leet EyeCare.

As well, T-Rav’s of Jackson will be serving desserts including Oreo T-Ravs, Chocolate Chip Cannoli’s, and Gooey Butter Cheesecake T-Ravs.