Tucker Stockman fitting in with Catfish’s talented catching group

The 2023 rendition of the Cape Catfish features a talented group of catchers.

All three of Landon Godsey, Cal Kilgore and Tucker Stockman bring their own unique skill set to the Catfish.

Stockman, who attends the University of Southern Mississippi, said the group is close.

“It’s fun,” Stockman said. “We’re a really close group and they’re both great guys. They’re just like the rest of the team and it’s great knowing that when you’re sitting a game, you have another guy back there who is just as capable. That’s how it should be.”

The Athens, Alabama native is in his first season with the Catfish and he’s been producing when in the lineup.

“It’s been awesome,” Stockman said. “There’s a lot of great guys and great coaches and it’s a really great atmosphere.”

Stockman is hitting just .214 but his on-base percentage is .463 in 10 games played. He hit a two-run home run, his first of the summer, during the Catfish’s 4-2 win over the Jackson Rockabillys on Thursday in Jackson, Tennessee.

During an exit meeting with his coaches at Southern Mississippi, Stockman developed a plan for the summer.

“Being redshirted this season I was working on a lot of different things,” Stockman said. “I just want to come out and hear work on things. I want to get a consistent swing down, be confident and just play some ball.”

Stockman said coming to Cape Girardeau from Mississippi is different while also being similar.

“I was talking to my host mom about it,” Stockman said. “The land is different but really other than that it’s pretty similar.”

For Stockman, he takes the most pride in the defensive aspect of his game.

“I really pride myself in the way I can catch and throw down to second,” Stockman said. “I feel like there’s not many guys that can steal on me. The numbers might not show it right now but I pride myself in that a lot.”

Both the offensive and defensive ability of Stockman has been a key piece for the Catfish as they locked up a playoff spot by winning the Prairie Land Division first half.

“It lets off a lot of pressure on us,” Stockman said. “There’s isn’t a whole lot of pressure when you start the season 12-0 but getting to go ahead and clinch a spot is great.”

Stockman said the key now is for the Catfish to avoid getting complacent down the stretch of the second half.

“All of us know we’re all here to get better,” Stockman said. “That’s what these games right now are doing. Even though these games might not seem like they mean much in terms of playoffs, they still mean as much to us because of the reps we’re getting.”

By locking up the first half playoff spot, the Catfish will host a first round playoff game on August 7 at Capaha Field.

Stockman and the Catfish are back in action at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 6, when they take on the Jackson Rockabillys in Jackson, Tennessee.

The Catfish will return to Capaha Field at 6:35 p.m. on Friday, July 7, when they host the O’Fallon Hoots.