Eastern Kentucky commit Justin Carinci producing in a big way for Catfish

Day after day Justin Carinci continues to produce for the Cape Catfish.

The shortstop has played in 16 of 17 games and boasts a .415 batting average with 27 hits in 65 at-bats in 2023.

Carinci joins the Catfish after spending the last two collegiate seasons at Mineral Area College where he played in 105 games, hit .371, stole 60 bases, and drove in 53 runs.

The Catfish have gotten out to a 15-2 start after Monday’s 9-5 win over the Thrillville Thrillbillies and Carinci has enjoyed every minute of the season so far.

“It’s been awesome,” Carinci said. “The team has gelled together so well and the fans are so much fun.”

Entering play on Monday Carinci was batting .400 and he had a big part in the win over the Thrillbillies as he went 3-for-5 to raise his average to .415.

“I’ve just been sticking to my approach,” Carinci said. “Coach (Brayden) Lackey has been helping us out a lot with getting everybody right on track and we’ve all been hitting so it’s been going great.”

Most nights Catfish manager Scott Little pencils Carinci in the three-hole hitting after Chris Hall and Jeff Clarke and before Brody Chrisman.

Hall is .484, Clarke is batting .318 and Chrisman is batting .443.

“I can’t imagine being a pitcher,” Carinci said. “Those other three guys and the rest of our lineup, we’re all swinging it.”

On March 19, Carinci, an Ajax, Ontario native, announced via social media that he had committed to Eastern Kentucky University.

“I’m so fired up,” Carinci said. “I’ve been trying to do a lot of the same and stick with what I’ve been doing because it seems to work so I’m just trying to keep that up.”

The Catfish started the season with a historic 12-game winning streak that was finally snapped on June 14 at the hands of the O’Fallon Hoots.

While the goal is to win every game, Carinci said he feels the loss allows the team to play a little bit looser.

“The pressure of keeping that win streak alive was definitely a thing,” Carinci said. “But, it doesn’t change anything. We’re still going out to win every ball game we play.”

Carinci and the Catfish will be back in action at 6:35 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20, when they hit the road to take on the Thrillville Thrillbillies in Marion, Illinois.

The Catfish will return home to Capaha Field at 6:35 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21, when they host the Burlington Bees.

They will hit the road on Thursday, June 21, for a matchup with the Jackson Rockabillys before returning home on Friday to play the Rockabillys at 6:35 p.m.