Fast start lifts first-place 'Fish to another W

Cape Catfish catcher Cameron Rountree

The Cape Catfish got off to a fast start in Sunday’s Prospect League game against Springfield, as the hosts took early leads of 2-0 and 5-2 before hanging on for a 5-4 victory at Capaha Field.

The victory was the second straight for Cape, which leads the West – Prairie Land Division, and eighth in the past 10 games.

Andrew Stone got the Catfish (33-19, 15-7 second half) on the board in the first inning with a solo home run, while Kolten Poorman did the same in the second inning for a 2-0 margin.

Jackson Jarvis opened the fourth inning by drawing a base on balls, before moving to second base on a single by Poorman.

Cameron Rountree singled to load the bases, while Grayson Taylor brought home Jarvis with a sacrifice and a 3-0 Catfish lead.

The Sliders (24-27, 10-13) answered with a pair of runs in the fifth off of Cape starter Ryan Vogt. However, the Catfish came right back with two runs in the bottom of that inning.

Stone and Giovanni Del Negro each were walked before Jarvis moved each up a bag with a pop-out to center field.

DJ Wright scored both Stone and Del Negro with a double, which put the hosts ahead 5-2.

Springfield got a run off of Cape relievers Austin Brock and Wright, who closed the game and earned his second save.

Poorman and Rountree paced the Catfish offense with two and three hits, respectively, while Poorman added one run, one RBI, and one walk).

Del Negro (two walks, one run), Jarvis (two walks, one run), Wright (one hit, two RBI), Rountree (one walk), Taylor (one RBI, one walk), and Stone (one hit, two runs, one RBI, one walk) also contributed.

Vogt (3-0, 6.00 ERA) worked five innings and gave up five hits and two earned runs while walking two and striking out six to earn the win.

Mason Gehling pitched two innings in relief and allowed three hits, but no earned runs, while walking one and striking out two.

Brock (one hit, one earned run, no walks, one strikeout) and Wright (one hit, no earned runs, no walks, two strikeouts) were solid in relief.

The Catfish will visit Alton Tuesday at 6:35 p.m.