Alton Tops Cape 7-3 Thursday Night

From Cape:

ALTON, Ill. - The Cape Catfish, 2021 Prospect League champions, are searching for their first win of the '22 season after losing 7-3 Thursday night to the Alton River Dragons at Lloyd Hopkins Field

The Catfish are now 0-2 while the River Dragons have started the season 2-0.

Cape had an opportunity to take an early lead, loading the bases in the first inning, but failed to score, opening the door for Alton to plate two runs in the bottom of the first frame.

The Catfish cut the lead in half on Cam Hill's solo home run in the top of the second, but Alton answered with single tallies in the second and third to take a 4-1 lead. Catfish shortstop J.D. Ortiz hit his second homer in as many nights in the top of the fifth, this one a two-run shot, to cut the River Dragons' lead to 4-3, but that was as the end of Cape's scoring. Alton went on to score two in the sixth and one more in the seventh to make the final score 7-3.

Alton outhit Cape 10-6 and had the game's only error. Catfish starter Jordan Zugger (0-1) took the loss, giving up seven hits and four earned runs in three innings while striking out five and walking one. Colton Huntt (1-0), the River Dragons starter, got the win, allowing four hits and three runs while striking out five and walking four Catfish.

Cape's home opener is Friday night against the Lucky Horseshoes of Springfield, Illinois. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. at Capaha Park.

From Alton:

ALTON, Ill. - The Alton River Dragons scored twice in the first inning and never relinquished the lead in a 7-3 win over the defending Prospect League champion Cape Catfish at Lloyd Hopkins Field, Thursday night.

Blake Burris had a team-high three hits, including a two-run double in the sixth inning.  He also sealed the game with yet another centerfield diving catch in the ninth inning.

Eddie King Jr. electrified the crowd with a no doubt home run to centerfield in the seventh inning, part of a two-hit game for him, Daniel Contreras also had two hits, with one of them being a RBI double.

On the mound Colton Huntt battled through five innings to pick up the victory. He allowed three runs with five strikeouts over the five innings.  The bullpen duo of Carson Richardson and Hunter Callaghan each threw two scoreless relief innings to finish off the win.

The River Dragons open the season at 2-0, heading into their first road game Friday at 6:30 at the O'Fallon Hoots.