The Cape Catfish compiled 15 runs on 17 hits as they took care of business without any stress against the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes on Thursday night.
Six Catfish tallied multiple hits. Everyone was involved as the Catfish imposed their will.
Bryant Byrd (0-1) got the start for the ‘Shoes, his first of the season.
JD Ortiz got revenge after his 0-for-5, four strikeout performance at Robin Roberts on Monday night. He launched a solo home run onto the train tracks, giving the ‘Fish an early 1-0 lead.
Three pitches later, Dante Zamudio played copycat and launched a ball past the scoreboard and doubled the lead.
A walk by Cam Careswell would lead to an RBI double and single, from Kolten Poorman and Blake Barton, respectively. The lead was 4-0 after one.
The outing for Byrd did not get better as the start went on.
A two-RBI single from Dalton Rudd and a wild pitch later, and the lead was a quick 7-0 in the second.
Contact was the name of the game for the Catfish, who only struck out four times as a team.
Cam Careswell, Blake Barton, and Dalton Rudd would each add RBIs, extending the lead to ten.
Byrd would be pulled after the tenth run was scored. Eight of his runs were earned. He allowed eight hits and three walks, earning his first loss.
Johnny Colombo and Payton Pennington would limit their set of opposition to only one run per inning over the final five.Catfish starter Eli Brown (1-0) had an easy night, going three innings and allowing one run.
‘Shoes right fielder Dylan Nevar led the way offensively, going 2-for-4 with his own train track shot in the bottom of the third.
Case Sparks would add an RBI of his own with a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the sixth off of ‘Fish reliever Bryce Morgan, scoring Joe Kolbeck.
An appearance by Kenny Wallace was not enough motivation for the ‘Shoes, as the defending champion Cape Catfish left no doubt.
The ‘Shoes drop to 3-6, and travel back to Alton on Friday to take on the 6-2 Dragons.
The now 5-4 Cape Catfish travel back home to host the 3-6 Burlington Bees.