Semoball

Catfish sweep Springfield in doubleheader at Capaha

Cape and Springfield (Ill.) have had the opportunity this season to get to know each other. The squads added two more "logs on the fire" Thursday in what has become an early-season rivalry.

The teams played a doubleheader as part of a make-up for a postponed game last week, and the Catfish came away with a pair of victories.

Cape won the opener 1-0 in eight innings -- the game was scheduled for seven innings -- before winning the nightcap 7-4.

The Catfish's Jackson Campbell ignited the fire in the opener.

A wild pitch from the Sliders allowed Campbell to score the only run of the game.

Campbell had reached third base by taking the first pitch he saw from Sliders pitcher Corbin Cox deep to center field that just missed being a home run. The Belmont University sophomore turned on the jets for a stand-up triple.

With Curtis Washington Jr. at the plate, a pitch got behind catcher David Vilches and Campbell darted home.

Campbell, who has been in a slump for much of the season, felt relieved to have a positive outcome.

"About time," Campbell said. "I've been struggling much of the year and finally got a hold of one."

Catfish manager Steve Larkin has continued to encourage Campbell, despite his struggles.

"He's getting his feet wet and he sparked it for us," Larkin said. "He really got a hold of one and that's what he needs and it helped get the win."

For Cape (16-7), it was once again able to find a way to win by any means necessary.

In its recent series against Hannibal, Cape benefited from errors for a pair of walk-off victories.

Larkin has kept an even-keel, yet aggressive attitude that has paid dividends.

"We just keep battling and it's working out for us," Larkin said. "The guys came out, remained aggressive and good things happen when you play like that."

The Catfish and Sliders (8-16) have already played nine times leading into today's game (6:35 p.m. at Capaha Field).

Throughout much of the game, it was tough sledding at the plate for both teams as Cape's Aaron Hubbell and Springfield's Michael Parks sparked a pitcher's duel.

The opportunities were present for the Catfish in the fourth inning as Ellison Hanna II singled to left field. He advanced to third base via fielder's choice and a passed ball, but Tyler Pridgen struck out to end the threat.

Hanna II finished 2-for-3 in the game.

"He's pitched against us three times this year and each game he's thrown gems," Larkin said of Parks. "He may not throw hard, but his pitches are effective and gave us trouble."

The 6-foot-5 left-hander from the University of Evansville went 6 1/3 innings, gave up five hits, walked one batter and struck out six.

Hubbell was magic on the mound, as well.

The right-hander from Belmont University pitched six solid innings, gave up three hits, and walked two batters, all while striking out seven.

The Sliders had a chance to score in the seventh inning by quickly loading the bases against Catfish reliever Ryan Vogt. However, Vogt was able to record the final out as Brendan Ryan struck out swinging.

Despite not getting the win, Hubbell was more than excited for the team.

"A win is a win, I'll take it," he said. "It was a lot of good plays behind me and everyone as a whole did great. Knowing they have my back, I'm not afraid to throw anything."

The Catfish had a chance to win in the bottom of the seventh when they got a single from Pridgen with one out. However, he'd get no further as reliever Corbin Cox struck out Christopher Jordan and Pridgen was picked off to send the game into the eighth.

Jack Wolfe relieved Vogt in the eighth with two outs was able to retire the side on his first pitch, picking up the win in the process.

In the second game, the Catfish earned another hard-fought win, as Dalton Doyle hit a two-run triple in the bottom of the sixth to help complete a 7-4 come-from-behind victory.

The Catfish fell behind 4-0 in the first inning.

Andrew Stone's home run put Cape on the board in the third and Hanna II's sacrifice fly scored Washington Jr. to pull it to within 4-2.

After cutting the deficit to 4-3, Southeast Missouri State sophomore Andrew Keck drew a bases-loaded walk that scored Jordan and Hanna II's sacrifice-fly gave the Catfish the lead for good.

Stone finished a perfect 4-for-4, while Keck, Hanna II and Doyle each finished with two RBIs apiece.

Pridgen pitched 4 2/3 innings of relief with six strikeouts on just one hit. Cape starter Steven Sanchez lasted just 1/3 inning after allowing four runs, all via walks. Wolfe picked up his second win of the night in relief.

(Game 1)

Cape 1, Springfield 0, 8 inn.

Springfield 000 000 00 --0 4 0
Cape Catfish 000 000 01 --1 6 2

WP -- Jack Wolfe (3-0). LP -- Corbin Cox (0-2). 3B -- Jackson Campbell (CC). 2B: (SS); (CC); Multiple hits -- Springfield: Brendan Ryan 2-4, Alex Ludwick 2-3; Cape Catfish: Ellison Hanna II 2-3

(Game 2)

Cape 7, Springfield 4

Springfield4000000-- 4 2 0
Cape Catfish002014X-- 7 10 0

WP -- Jack Wolfe (4-0). LP -- Ashton Knutson (2-1). HR -- Andrew Stone (CC). 3B -- Dalton Doyle (CC) . 2B -- Evan Spry (SS). Multiple hits -- Springfield: Evan Spry 2-3; Cape: Andrew Stone 4-4, Washington Jr. 2-4, Dalton Doyle 2-3, Christopher Jordan 2-3.

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