Thunder Bay – Sports – The Thunder Bay Border Cats continue their reign in the Great Plains East, securing their seventh win in a nail-biting victory over the Eau Claire Express.
Kenneth Sugi’s clutch single brought in both runs for the Border Cats, capitalizing on a sun-induced blunder by the Express defence. While the weather had been wet most of the day, once the game started it was warm and sunny and the almost 500 fans in attendance were treated to a really well played baseball game.
It was a pitchers’ duel at Port Arthur Stadium, with the Cats’ Andrew Hardin stealing the show, tossing an impressive 7 2/3 innings for the win. Carter Wall swooped in for the save, securing the 2-1 final.
Wall came in as the Cats were struggling a bit with some fielding errors. Thrown into the pressure cooker Wall proved he was the master for the save.
The Cats now enjoy a well-deserved day off before returning on Wednesday to face the Duluth Huskies for the coveted Superior Cup.
For the Border Cats, Japanese sensation Kansai Sugimoto is set to take the mound, eager to redeem himself after a no-decision in his debut.
Elsewhere in the Northwoods League, the Duluth Huskies pulled off a dramatic walk-off win against the Badlands Big Sticks, with Joe Vos playing the hero with a game-tying double in the tenth.
The Traverse City Pit Spitters dominated the Kalamazoo Growlers 5-2, thanks to a stellar pitching performance by Dylan Krouse.
In a high-scoring affair, the Royal Oak Leprechauns trounced the Kokomo Jackrabbits 12-2, fuelled by Jack Boike’s perfect day at the plate and a slew of extra-base hits. The Mankato MoonDogs rode a four-run fifth inning to victory over the St. Cloud Rox, with Josh Alexander and Andres Castro delivering key RBIs.
The Waterloo Bucks edged out the La Crosse Loggers 7-6, thanks to Larry Edwards’ impressive two-homer performance. The Battle Creek Battle Jacks shut down the Kenosha Kingfish 4-1, with Tyler Sager leading the charge on the mound.
The Wausau Woodchucks continued their undefeated streak, notching their eighth win against the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders. Jacob Haley’s solo home run and Tyler Smith’s solid pitching were instrumental in the 3-1 victory. In a lopsided contest, the Minot Hot Tots demolished the Bismarck Larks 14-4, highlighted by Elias Fiddler’s two-homer, six-RBI outburst.
Finally, the Rockford Rivets topped the Rochester Honkers 5-3, with Mack Whitcomb and Nick Demarco leading the offensive charge. Dylan Petrey secured the win with a five-inning, five-strikeout performance.
Stay tuned for more exciting Northwoods League action, and don’t forget to get your tix for the Cats and Huskies on Weenie Wednesday, featuring a two-for-one hot dog special!
