Rochester, Minn – It was a walk issued to Jordan Bach, who was three for four on the night, that would represent the winning run after a Lucas Johnson two-RBI double was enough to bring the Border Cats over the line.

Ian Regal delivered his strongest start of the season, pitching six innings and allowing just two runs (both of which were unearned).

The Honkers’ offense was muted for most of the night after a first-inning sacrifice fly from Joel Roberts. It came alive when it was needed in the eighth, trailing by three runs to one.

RBI singles from Joel Roberts and Drew Charney tied the ball game in the eighth, giving the Honkers a chance to snap a six-game losing streak. After failing to score Hara from second in the ninth, the Border Cats plated two massive runs in the top of the tenth.

It was a beautiful two-RBI double into left center from Lucas Johnson. That second run proved to be crucial as Charney’s RBI single to score Joel Roberts was not enough. 

The loss was Rochester’s sixth in a row, while the win extended Thunder Bay’s streak of victories to five. 

Thunder Bay will continue south as they travel to Waterloo for two straight. The Honkers will head lakeside for a four-game set with the Duluth Huskies.

Ryan Higgins will have the ball tomorrow on the mound. Duluth has not declared a starting pitcher.

The Rochester Honkers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Entering its 32nd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 26 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, over 350 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, 2021 and 2023 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit