Danville Takes Early Lead, Beats Cape 12-3

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Dans from Danville, Illinois, became the first Prospect League team to reach the 20-win mark this season with a decisive victory over the Cape Catfish Friday night at Capaha Field.

The game was close heading into the seventh inning, with Danville holding on to a two-run lead, but in that frame the Dans posted four runs and followed up with three more in the eighth, cruising to a 12-3 win.

Danville scored four runs in the opening inning. Dans leadoff batter Jonathan Thomas (Texas Southern University) was hit by a pitch thrown by Catfish starter Eli Brown (Lindenwood University) to open the game. Brown then walked the next batter, Drake Digiorno (Folsom Lake College) before giving up a three-run homer to Chase Vinson from Morehead State University, his third home run of the season. The Dans added another run in the first thanks to a double by designated hitter Cam Swanger (Saint Louis University) who then scored when Carlos Vasquez, a redshirt freshman from Missouri State University, singled him home.

That turned out to be the winning run, but the Dans added an unearned run in the sixth and a combined seven runs in the seventh and eighth innings. The Dans notched seven hits in those innings including a two-RIB double by Swanger and RBI doubles by Digiorno, catcher Will Portera (University of Alabama) and left fielder B.J. Banyon (University of Memphis).

The Catfish scored all three of their runs in the third inning when center fielder Christopher Hall from Florida State College at Jacksonville hit a one-out single, stole second (his team-leading 19th steal of the season), and scored when Josh Cameron from Southeast Missouri State knocked his second RBI double in as many nights. Cameron scored when the next batter, Dante Zamudio from West Virginia State University, also doubled. Catcher Ty Stauss (Southeast Missouri State) then singled to drive in Zamudio for Cape's third – and final – run of the game.

With the loss, Brown's record fell to 1-1. He pitched 5 2/3 innings Friday night, allowing five runs on five hits while striking out six and walking three. Danville starter Jackson Conn (Northeast Community College) lasted just 2 2/3 innings, striking out seven Catfish while allowing all three Cape runs. Danville reliever Colby Downard (Santa Barbara City College) tossed the final 6 1/3 innings for the win, evening his record at 2-2.

Cape, 10-18, finished the game with 10 hits, but committed three errors, each of which led to Danville runs. Danville, now 20-8, had 12 hits including six doubles and a home run.

The Catfish and Dans travel to Danville for a game there at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.