Catfish Avoid Sweep

After three straight losses on this road trip, the Columbus Catfish finally cracked the win column with a big inning of their own, beating the West Virginia Power (Brewers) 9-5 and avoiding a sweep.

The Catfish put 2 on the board in the 1st inning when C Tony Harper doubled over the right field wall, scoring SS Ivan De Jesus, who had reached on a fielder's choice. RF Lucas May then singled to center, scoring Harper.

West Virginia scored a single run in the bottom of the 1st, 2 in the 3rd on a Michael Bell homer and a Kenneth Holmberg single that plated Tony Festa, and 2 more in the 4th on a throwing error by Catfish C Tony Harper that allowed Darren Ford to score from third, and a Mat Gamel single that scored Lorenzo Cain.

The Catfish got a run back in the 7th when Bridger Hunt scored on a Travis Denker grounder to first, making it 5-3.

It remained that way until the 9th. Catfish LF Adam Godwin walked and moved to second on 3B Juan Rivera's grounder to left. CF Bridger Hunt singled, scoring Godwin and moving Rivera to third. A passed ball by West Virginia C Nestor Corredor allowed Rivera to scores and Hunt to move to second. De Jesus reached on a single, then 2B Travis Denker hit a line drive to center, scoring Hunt. After Tony Harper grounded out, RF Lucas May singled to center field, scoring De Jesus and Denker, and advanced to third on a throwing error by West Virginia CF Darren Ford. After a pitching change, 1B Jason Mooneyham singled in May, to make the score 9-5 Catfish.

Closer Ramon Troncoso came in and set down West Virginia in order in the bottom of the 9th to secure the win for Joey Norrito, who relieved starter David Horlacher in the 5th.

The Catfish 15-hit attack was led by Bridger Hunt, who went 5-for-5 with 2 doubles, and RBI, and 2 runs scored, including the go-ahead run in the 9th. Lucas May was 3-for-5 with 2 RBIs, extending his road hitting streak to 21 games. Juan Rivera was 2-for-4 with a runs scored.

The Catfish now leave Charleston, WV and head to Lexington, KY to battle the Lexington Legends (Astros) in four games before returning home on Thursday.