Semoball

Catfish players bond while battling heat and humidity; sweep Pistol Shrimp

The Catfish's Zane Wallace is high-fived by teammates in the dugout after sliding home safely against DuPage on Wednesday at Capaha Field.
KASSI JACKSON

Cape Catfish manager Steve Larkin didn't sing, but he hummed a tune yet again. It could be a driving force that is helping his team build momentum.

"I'm going to make a request for Earth, Wind & Fire," Larkin said with a smile.

Just one day after winning their first home game in team history, the Catfish (4-2) were back on the diamond hoping to build on that victory, as well as get to know one another.

A hot June evening didn't stop the hosts from serving up a hot plate of hits as they bested DuPage 8-2 at Capaha Field.

"Seriously, the guys got after it tonight and hit the ball hard," Larkin said. "They really played well as a whole and we're looking to keep it rolling."

The key for the Catfish was the boost of two Southeast Missouri State players and the forming of bonds by the players. Something Redhawk players Turner Fritts and Peyton Faulker both value in the young season going forward.

"We're still getting to know our teammates because we're all new," Faulkner said. "As the season has gone, I'm just enjoying the time learning these guys."

Learning indeed, but winning has a way to bridge the gap.

"Hey, we're just a group of guys, we don't even know everyone's name yet," Fritts said. "It's fun playing with these guys and getting another win certainly helps."

With the ceiling fans on high (power) and water bottles aplenty, the crowd and players from both sides endured the 91-degree heat with a 'healthy' dose of humidity.

DuPage and Cape sweat it out early, but the Catfish eventually turned up the heat.

In the bottom of the second inning, it started unraveling for the visitors.

A ground-rule double from Indiana State's Ellison Hanna II started the rally. The Nassau, Bahamas native then stole third and Fritts' single brought Hanna II home as the Catfish regained the lead at 2-1.

The Cape Catfish's Ellison Hanna II (25) celebrates on second base in the game against the DuPage Pistol Shrimp at Capaha Field Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Cape Girardeau.
Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian

Fritts later scored on a sacrifice-fly by Purdue University sophomore Ryan Howe, while Faulkner also scored on a wild pitch after reaching on an error to load the bases with no outs.

Faulkner and Zane Wallace each scored on a wild pitch and the Catfish led 5-1 and never looked back.

The Pistol Shrimp (4-3) did themselves no favors as the Catfish scored four runs in the inning, with three coming from wild pitches.

"We're having to call some of our teammates by number to give them a high-five," Fritts said. "It was huge to get the game open and especially do it in front of our fans. They were awesome again."

The Catfish got heavy production from its Southeast players.

Fritts went 2-for-5 with an RBI, while Faulkner went 2-4, Southeast catcher Andrew Keck, who homered Tuesday, was 1-3 with an RBI.

Also contributing was Andrew Stone, who went 2-for-4 and had three stolen bases in the game

As hot as the bats were, the pitching was even hotter.

The Catfish were led by the arms of Troy University.

Cape starter Bay Witcher was nearly flawless on the hill, going 5 1/3 innings. He allowed one hit, two runs and struck out three.

Witcher's college teammate, Taylor Pridgen, came in on relief and went two innings, giving up a single hit with one strikeout.

Cam Stewart closed out the final two innings, which included catching a line drive at the mound in the eighth to end the side. He gave up one hit with one strikeout and allowed two walks. An all-around effort that still had Larkin searching who made the play.

"I'm still learning the names myself," he said. "They all did well on the mound. At one point, DuPage could've made a rally, but our guys stuck with it, threw strikes, and closed it out."

DuPage pitcher Anders Davidson lasted just 2 2/3 innings and took the loss.

DuPage 100 100 000 --2 3 3
Cape 140 200 01X --8 10 1

WP -- Bay Witcher(1-0). LP -- Anders Davidson (0-1). 2B: Andrew Keck (CC); Tanner King (SL). Multiple hits -- DuPage: Kyle Kolb 2-3; Cape: Andrew Stone 2-4, Peyton Faulkner 2-4

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