COLUMN: Catfish still have something to chase entering final week

A pair of 10-run games and easy wins over the past weekend didn't get the Cape Catfish any closer to the top of the second-half Prairie Land Division standings.

It also doesn't matter.

The Catfish spent the entire month of July without the urgency of making the Prospect League playoffs, thanks to securing the first-half spot on the strength of their super start to the season. Cape (36-17) has the best overall record in the Western Conference and is two wins behind the Chillicothe Paints (38-16) for the best overall record in the league.

"I think the general majority of people have stayed consistent, stayed true with the energy, have been enjoying everything," Catfish left fielder Brody Chrisman said. "I think that's what we're going to do as we go forward."

Cape has nearly twice as many losses in the second half (11) as in the first half (6) but the team's cornerstones have remained on top of the league leaderboards. The Catfish has three hitters on the top five in batting average; Justin Carinci (.386) at No. 2, Chrisman (.382) at No. 3, and Chris Hall (.365) at No. 5. The same trio is also among the top five in hits, with Carinci leading the league with 73.

Chrisman is also third in the league in hits (63), RBI (53), and second in doubles (16). It's impressive to see the Purdue product be consistently the Catfish's best hitter despite not playing at all for the Boilermakers this past spring. He is undoubtedly preparing himself to be a featured player in the Purdue outfield in 2024.

"There's always little things that you can improve on," Chrisman said. "I think this summer for me has gradually been baserunning and outfield play. I mean, every single game you get new experience, you get more opportunity, and with that new experience and opportunity comes more skill."

With one week left in the Prospect League season, it is increasingly evident that the Thrillville Thrillbillies will be the team that takes on the Catfish in the Prairie Land Division title game on Sunday, August 6, at Capaha Field, which comes one day after the home finale.

The Catfish will be set up well on the mound with Jorge Romero and Noah Gadberry leading the starting rotation. Romero leads the league in ERA (1.57), and Gadberry is right behind at No. 3 with a 2.93 ERA.

After two games on the road against the Jackson Rockabillys to start the week on Monday and Tuesday, the Catfish's road trip continues at O'Fallon on Thursday and Alton on Friday. The Catfish and River Dragons return to Capaha Field to finish their two-game series on Saturday, August 5.

There will be no letting up for the Catfish with the playoffs around the corner.

"We're all competitors," Chrisman said. "We always want to come out here and do our very best and compete for the team. Everybody wants to put their best foot forward. That's definitely been our motivating factor as we go into the playoffs."