THUNDER BAY – SPORTS – Another late lead given up by the Thunder Bay Border Cats (3-10) seen them drop a 9-6 decision against the Eau Claire Express (6-7) on Sunday afternoon. The Border Cats have yet to taste victory on the road (0-5) as the first three games on this four game trip have seen late leads evaporate or tied games go the way of the opposition.
The Border Cats made a fantastic comeback of their own in the top of the eighth. Down 5-3 with one out and the bases loaded Anthony Galati’s (Sacramento City) sacrifice fly plated Karsten Vasquez (Sacramento City). Andrew Shebloski’s (Saint Mary’s) two-out two-RBI single gave the Cats a 6-5 lead.
However, Garett Lake’s (Pima CC) first home run of the season, a two-run shot, retook the lead for the Express. Nick Lopez (Illinois-Chicago) would tack on two more with the bases loaded to put the game out of reach.
Galati paced the Thunder Bay offense adding a solo home run, his first of the season, to along with his other RBI. Jake Engel (Dixie St.) nailed a double as part of his 2-for-3 afternoon. Jordan Larson (Northern Illinois) went 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored.
Lopez had three singles on the day and three runs batted in for the Express who out hit Thunder Bay 12-7. David LaManna (Notre Dame) was also 2-for-3 in the seven hole for the Express, picking up a double, triple, RBI and two runs scored.
Lucas Reid (Sacramento City) took the loss as he allowed three earned runs, on two hits with a walk and a strike out in two innings of work out of the bullpen. Tyler Hansen’s (GateWay CC) good start went by the wayside. He went 5 2/3 allowing five runs (just three earned) with six strikeouts and one walk issued.
Ethan Swanson (Cowley CC) took the win for Eau Claire despite allowing four earned runs in three innings out of the pen. Brannon Jordan (Cowley CC) tossed a three-up three-down ninth for his first save of the season.
The Border Cats look to try and end the road trip on a positive note before coming home. Alex Dafoe (1-1) who started in the Border Cats first win, is scheduled to take the mound. He struck out eight in his last start. Matt Verdun (0-0) gets the ball for the Express. The last game of the trip is set to start in Eau Claire with first pitch at 7:35pm. The Cats are back in town on Tuesday, hosting the La Crosse Loggers for their first matchup of the season.
