Game 1: Cats Dominate with Grand Slam and Stellar Pitching
Thunder Bay, ON – The Thunder Bay Border Cats came out swinging on Thursday night, delivering a powerhouse performance in their doubleheader against the Duluth Huskies. Before a crowd of 725 fans braving the chill at Port Arthur Stadium, the Cats clinched a decisive victory in the first game, thumping the Huskies 14-1.
The Thunder Bay Border Cats are at 8-2 for the season and are atop the Great Plains Division with a two game lead over the Duluth Huskies.
The action started early with Cole Ketzner (University of South Alabama) smashing a first-inning grand slam, launching the ball into the light pole between the bullpens in right field.
This set the tone for the Cats, who raced out to a 9-0 lead by the second inning. They didn’t let up, adding five more runs to secure their first win in the 12-game season series for the Superior Cup.
Jacob Miller (Jefferson College) was on fire, going 4-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Pitcher Kansai Sugimoto (Yavapai CC) dominated on the mound, delivering six innings of seven-hit, one-run ball, racking up nine strikeouts and no walks to earn his first win of the season.
Game 2: Huskies Bounce Back to Even the Score
In the nightcap, the Duluth Huskies showed resilience, breaking open a 4-4 tie with two runs in the fifth inning and adding three more in the sixth to claim a 9-4 victory.
This handed the Cats their first home loss of the season.
Lucas Terilli (Eastern New Mexico University) had two hits in the second game, while Shane Kearbey (University of Missouri-St. Louis) took the loss in relief. Despite the setback, the Cats remain poised and ready for the next challenge.
Upcoming Series and Key Players to Watch
The Cats and Huskies hit the road down Highway 61 for another two-game series starting Friday night at Wade Stadium. Keep an eye on Jack Pineau (Creighton University), who is slated to start for Thunder Bay with first pitch at 7:35pm ET.
The Cats will return home on Sunday to continue their six-game series with the Huskies at 5:05pm ET.
Stay tuned to NetNewsLedger for all the latest updates and highlights from your Thunder Bay Border Cats as they battle for supremacy in the Great Plains East Division.
