Hanna II sends message with game-winning blast

Cape Catfish hitter Ellison Hanna II takes an at bat during a game earlier this season at Capaha Field.

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

The Cape Catfish only have one hitter performing in tonight’s Prospect League Home Run Derby and it isn’t Ellison Hanna II, which doesn’t necessarily sit well with the Indiana State outfielder.

After Catfish hitter Andrew Stone was selected to participate in the event tonight at The Corn Crib in Normal, Illinois (7 p.m.), Hanna II felt he and teammate Dalton Doyle were slighted.

“Honestly, it should’ve been myself and Dalton added too,” Hanna II said recently.

His point was well taken, particularly following his exploits Sunday.

Hanna II blasted a two-run home run with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to lift the Catfish to a come-from-behind 6-5 victory at Quincy.

The blast was his 11th of the season, which ties Doyle for the team lead and is one ahead of Stone.

Stone drew a walk to open the inning before advancing to second on a fielder’s choice and third on a passed ball.

The hit erased a deficit that the Gems (25-21) had held since scoring three runs in the sixth inning to take a 5-4 lead.

Hanna II finished the game with three hits and as many RBIs to go with his one run scored.

Stone had a hit, an RBI, and a run scored, while Curtis Washington Jr. (one run), John Behrends (one hit, one run), Jackson Campbell (one hit, one run), Julian Pedrouzo (one hit, one run), and Christopher Jordan (one RBI) also contributed for Cape (32-13).

The Catfish win was the club’s seventh straight and they remain in first place in the West Division 5 ½ games in front of DuPage.

Cape has won nine of its last 10 games.

Taylor Pridgen threw five innings in the start for Cape, but struggled. He allowed eight hits and four earned runs, while walking a couple batters and striking out a pair.

Braden Cox, Adam Bunnell, Gage Smart and Collin Taylor combined for four innings of one-hit, no-run relief, as Smart (4-1, 5.14 ERA) earned the victory and Taylor registered his fourth save.

Following tonight’s Home Run Derby, eight Catfish players will appear in Tuesday’s Prospect League All-Star Game (7 p.m.) in Normal, as well as manager Steve Larkin leading the West squad.

Cape will resume league play Thursday at Normal at 6:35 p.m.