The Border Cats (11-18) opened part of a 3-games in 2-nights series with a sweep of the opening double-header at Wade Stadium in Duluth (8-22). The Border Cats doubled up the Huskies in the both games by scores of 8-4 and 12-6. With the wins, Thunder Bay is on a season best three game winning streak, and enjoying a run of good form to end the first half of the season, having won five of their last six.
In the afternoon session Cats second baseman Jordan Serena (Columbia University) went 4-5 with two runs driven in and a pair of stolen bases. 8-of-9 hitters in the Border Cat order had hits to support starter Charles Thielmann (Kean University). Thielmann earned his second win (2-2) as he pitched 7 2/3 innings allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits, walking none and striking out three. Tyler Lequire worked the final 1 1/3 with a pair of strike outs to seal the victory.
After the Cats built a four run lead, Duluth responded in the 5th inning with three runs, but that was as close as the Huskies would get. Border Cat catcher Christian Correa (Nicholls State) would respond in the top of the sixth with one of his two RBI doubles in the day game followed up in the 8th by Serena driving in two with an RBI single.
The night affair saw a fast start by both offenses as the Border Cats and Huskies exchanged two runs a piece in the first. Thunder Bay then scored two more in the top of the second on their way to the 12-6 win. The win saw the Cats tee off with 20 hits and everyone in the lineup getting in on the action. Adam Collins (Central Michigan) drove in four with his first two doubles of the season.
Border Cat Starter Ben Allison (Belhaven University) evened his record at 2-2 taking the win allowing two runs on five hits, striking out one in a stellar outing.
The Cats offense continued to roll as four men collected three hits a piece including Serena, Tyler Rolland (Southern Illinois), Cory Kay (Missouri State), and Correa.
Correa is now 8-16 in his last four starts with four doubles and five RBI's. Serena ended the day 7-11 with three RBI's and three stolen bases from the leadoff spot. Rolland chipped in an RBI along with his first triple of the season. Rolland and Ty Blankmeyer (St. Johns University) extended their hitting streaks. Rolland is now at nine straight, while Blankmeyer has hit safely in ten.
The Border battle continues Wednesday night with first pitched slated 7:35 EDT at Wade Stadium in Duluth. Gunnar Kay (Dallas Baptist) is expected to take his 1-1 record to the bump in his fifth start of the season.
