Border Cats Catcher Tyler Patterson (St. Cloud State) protects the plate and tags Derek Peake trying to score a run early. Peake was called out after a throw by Ty Blankmeyer (St. John's) got him. However the run was uneeded as the Woodchucks slid past the Cats 4-3 in action at TBaytel Park. (Photo Courtesy of James Mirabelli Photography).
Lost opportunities made the difference as the Thunder Bay Border Cats (23-48, 9-27) dropped a tight contest 4-3 to the visiting Wisconsin Woodchucks (41-30, 21-13) in front 1,151 at TBaytel Park. The Cats who outhit (9-7) and had many chances to score in the game came up just short against a team still looking to lock down a playoff spot. Thunder Bay can play the spoiler role, as the Woodchucks need a win or a Kenosha loss on the final gameday of the season, Sunday night in order to clinch.
In addition to the Border Cats leaving eight men on base (compared to Wisconsin's four), Cory Kay was thrown out at home on a perfect throw by Taylor Kohlwey to end the 4th. Little did anyone know that play, which erased the tying run at the time, would become a pivotal point in the contest.
6-7 hitters Ryan Howard and Zach Arnold led the way for the Woodchucks. Howard was 2-3 with the only extra base hit, a double, he would also score twice and get plunked. Arnold put together a 2-4 outing at the dish with two driven in and a run scored. Number 8 hitter Derek Peake brought home his 7th RBI and Kohlway added the other RBI.
Second Year Border Cat Adam Collins (Central Michigan) put together a 2-4 response for the Cats who had a balanced attack. 8 of 9 hitters in the lineup collected a hit. Robb Paller (Columbia University) picked up his 17th double while Tyler Patterson (St. Cloud State) collected his 11th RBI of the season.
Woodchucks Starting Pitcher Andy Ravel had a couple of tight spots to work out of through his six innings of work but won his 4th straight start (4-2). He managed to give up three runs (two earned) on eight hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Jared Skolnicki and Patrick Kenney stifled the Border Cats offense in the last three. They combined to allow one hit, striking out four Cats the rest of the way. Kenney picked up his 2nd save of the summer.
Freshman Gunnar Kay (Dallas Baptist) took the loss for Thunder Bay (2-4). The third Kay brother to play in Thunder Bay (behind Brett and Cory) left the game in the 5th inning after an apparent injury. He allowed four runs on six hits with a pair of walks and a strikeout before he left. Ben Allison (Belhaven University) had a fantastic showing, carrying the mail the rest of the way. He allowed just one hit and struck out two, giving every chance for the Cats to find a way back.
The Woodchucks would strike first. In the 2nd inning, with runners on 1st and 2nd, back to back singles by Howard and Peake would have the Wausau ball club ahead 2-0. Kohlwey would hit a ball up the middle of the infield that was tough to handle, scoring a third run. Peake tried to take advantage and score on the play only for Border Cat Second Baseman Ty Blankmeyer (St. John's) to throw him out.
The Cats would recover a run in the bottom of the 2nd, before tying the game in the next inning. Jacob Robson (Mississippi State) stole second after getting on base. Blankmeyer then bunted one that snuck its way between the first baseman and the pitcher Ravel. Ravel gave every effort to try and get Blankmeyer with a flip to first, but winged one over Brendon Hayden's head, allowing Robson to score. Blankmeyer would later be the tying run on a groundout by Nick Studer (Doane College).
The game winning run scored however on a wild pitch by Kay in the top of the 4th and that sealed the deal.
The Border Cats will play their final game of the season on Sunday evening. First pitch is slated for 5:05pm at TBaytel Park with the Woodchucks needing a win or a Kenosha loss to clinch a playoff spot.
