Former Jackson player sees live pitching for first time in a while, as Catfish fall

It’s been a long wait for former Jackson High School baseball standout Steven Schneider to dig into the batter’s box and face live pitching – in a real game. However, he wasted no time in doing so on Wednesday, as he served as the leadoff hitter for the Cape Catfish in the team’s 3-0 loss at Jackson (Tenn.).

“I just really want to get as many reps as I can,” Schneider said prior to the season-opening game on Wednesday, “and have fun out there.”

After spending this past season as a redshirt player in his first season at NCAA Division II Maryville University, Schneider got four at-bats against the Rockabillys (1-0) and he drew one walk without getting a hit.

“I definitely need to see live pitching,” Schneider said. “We had some live (at-bats) that I did in the spring, but it has been a while since I have had game action.”

Cal State Los Angeles junior Jorge Romero got the starting nod for the Catfish (0-1) and was magnificent.

The right-hander threw four innings of one-hit baseball and didn’t allow a run.

Romero, who also played last summer for Cape, walked three Jackson batters and struck out five, before being relieved by another Jackson High School alum, Cameron Marchi.

Marchi, who will pitch at Southeast Missouri State in the fall, worked 2 1/3 innings and gave up a couple of hits, one earned run, one walk, and three strikeouts.

Marchi and Schneider were two of five players with ties to Southeast Missouri, who got game action on Wednesday.

“They are usually pretty receptive and excited about playing here,” Cape General Manager Mark Hogan said of signing local players to compete on the Catfish. “But, you know, it is the same thing if we’re talking about a kid in California or Texas (such as Romero).”

Since joining the Prospect League in 2019, the Catfish have been as successful as any franchise, which helps in recruiting, according to Hogan.

Another Jackson High School graduate, Will Richardson, relieved Marchi and threw one inning, and allowed two earned runs on no hits while walking three and striking out three.

The Catfish notched four hits against Jackson, including a double from Belmont University freshman Ty Allen.

Alex Kowalski also tallied a hit, as did Drew Wedgeworth (also adding a walk), and Easton Moore (also adding a walk).

Camren Stratton had a walk in the loss, as did former Notre Dame High School player, Cole Lemons, and Carsen McCaleb.

The Catfish will open their home season today at 6:35 p.m. at Capaha Field against the Full Count Rhythm.

The first 500 fans through the gate with a paid admission will receive a Cape Catfish T-Shirt courtesy of MERCY Southeast, Kenny's Flippin' Burgers, and Wats Not Pretzels.