REX Take Two In Cape

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – After losing to the Terre Haute REX 13-9 in the completion of a Saturday's suspended game earlier in the day, the Cape Catfish were looking for redemption in a seven-inning rematch with Terre Haute at Capaha Field in a scheduled seven-inning game Thursday night.

But it was not to be as Terre Haute outscored Cape 7-5, handing the Catfish their second loss of the day.

Both teams pushed a run across the plate in the first inning. Terre Haute's run followed a leadoff walk to Parks Bouck, a redshirt freshman from North Central Texas College. He eventually scored on a two-out error by Catfish first baseman Cam Careswell (University of Missouri).

Cape's first-inning run followed a leadoff infield single by center fielder Christopher Hall (Florida State College at Jacksonville), who advanced to second on a throwing error by REX third baseman Robert Ciulla (Yale). He advanced to third on a fly ball off the bat of Catfish designated hitter Dante Zamudio (West Virginia State) and scored when Josh Cameron (Southeast Missouri State) singled to center.

Terre Haute regained the lead in the fourth frame after Catfish starter Colten Weber walked REX catcher Connor Hicks (Indiana State University), who advanced to second on a passed ball and then scored on an RBI single by first baseman Mason White (Indiana University Southeast) to give REX a 2-1 lead.

REX added two runs in the top of the fifth with a two-out RBI single by Hicks that scored center fielder Kade Lassen (Lincoln Trail Community College) who had doubled to lead off the inning and a single by Ciulla that scored Hicks.

Cape answered in the bottom of the fifth when right fielder Dalton Rudd (Western Kentucky University) was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on a single by Zamudio, his second RBI of the game, cutting the REX lead to 4-2.

Terre Haute regained its three-run lead in the top of the sixth when Bouck reached base thanks to the team-leading 16th error of the season by Catfish shortstop Lane Crowden (Three Rivers Community College) and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Alec Brunson (University of Saint Francis). REX added a second run in the sixth when Brunson's teammate at the University of Saint Francis, David Miller, connected with an RBI single to center, giving Terre Haute a 6-2 advantage.

Miller then stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored Terre Haute's seventh run when Hicks drove him in with his second RBI of the game, making the score 7-2 in the middle of the sixth.

The Catfish pulled to within two in the bottom of the sixth with three runs of their own, thanks to an RBI single by Rudd, an RBI on a squeeze play by Hall, and a ground-rule double by Zamudio that scored Rudd.

But after getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the seventh, the Catfish went down in order in their half of the final inning, giving REX a 7-5 victory.

REX starter Kyle Cortner (Lincoln Trail College) got the win, going 5 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits and five Catfish runs while striking out four and walking three. His record improved to 3-1. Chase Johnson (Catawba College) picked up the save, retiring the last four Catfish batters in order.

Catfish starter Colten Weber (Oral Roberts University) took the loss, allowing seven hits and four runs in 4 2/3 innings. His record is now 1-2.

The two losses Thursday give the Catfish an overall record of 16-27 and a second half record of 4-8 in the Prospect League's 60-game season. Meanwhile, Terre Haute's record improved to 31-15 overall, 11-5 in the second half.

The Catfish host the Alton River Dragons Friday at Capaha Field. First pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m.