Early run proves to be enough in Catfish win

In Wednesday night’s contest with Rex Baseball, one run would have been enough for the Cape Catfish in their 6-0 win.

By all accounts, for the majority of the game, it appeared one run was all the Catfish would get.

Justin Carinci drove in Jeff Clarke with a single in the bottom of the first to make it 1-0.

Following the Carinci single, Catfish pitcher Raymond Ochoa cruised through 5.2 innings allowing no runs on four hits while striking out seven.

“I was able to throw all three of my pitches for strikes,” Ochoa said. “I was able to control the zone with my two-seam.”

Ochoa would get just the one run of support through the duration of his start, but he said he relishes the pressure of a close game.

“I think it makes it more intense,” Ochoa said. “It puts more pressure on me and I like that. I just have to stay sharp throughout the game and try to get the win.”

After Chris Hall threw out the potential tying run at the plate, the Catfish responded in the bottom of the seventh with a pair of runs to increase their lead to 3-0.

After Landon Godsey scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth, Curry Sutherland doubled home a pair of runs to make it 6-0 Catfish.

“Those runs are really important,” Ochoa said. “It takes a lot of pressure off the pitching. If the lead is two or three you have more room for error.”

The Catfish scored six runs on eight hits and eight walks.

Lane Crowden went 2-for-4 with a run scored to pace the offense.

Sutherland finished 1-for-4 with two runs batted in as well.

The Catfish (27-10) are back in action at 6:35 p.m. tomorrow, July 13, when they travel to take on the Alton River Dragons.

“We just need to keep doing what we’re doing,” Ochoa said. “We’re showing up every day ready to play.”

The Catfish will return to Capaha Field at 6:35 p.m. on Friday, July 14, when they host the Thrillville Thrillbillies.