Action at Wade Stadium in Duluth (Photo Courtesy of digitalballparks.com)
Thunder Bay (12-18) trailed their border rivals the Duluth Huskies (8-23) 5-0 after four innings. However, the Border Cats showed the tenacity they've had all season and earned the 3-game in 2-night sweep of the Huskies with a 10-8 win at Wade Stadium. Four cats had multi-hit games and the back end of the bullpen held the Huskies to three zeros in the 7th-8th-and 9th to complete the victory.
Jordan Serena (Columbia University) came alive and led the offense going 3-5 with three runs driven in, while being a home run shy of the cycle. Robb Paller (Columbia University) matched his collegiate teammate with a 3-5 night with three RBI's including his homer, a solo effort. Tyler Patterson (St. Cloud State) and Ty Blankmeyer (St. John's University) each checked in with two-hit nights, driving in one.
The Huskies out hit the Cats with five batters collecting multi-hit games. First Baseman Keach Ballard led the way, driving in three RBI's going 2-5 and was a factor in the Huskies taking the lead in the first. Ballard doubled home a run then came around to count on an Alex Michaels single. In the 4th Ballard singled with runners in scoring position to make it 5-0.
In the next half inning the sleeping giant offense of Thunder Bay awoke. Patterson got things started off of Huskies starter Austin Christiensen with an RBI single scoring Christian Correa (Nicholls State). Serena followed that with a triple that scored two and Blankmeyer plated Serena with a single.
The teams exchanged two runs a piece in the 6th before Thunder Bay put the game away in the top of the 7th. Serena hit a double to count Patterson before Paller hit the game winning double scoring Serena and Blankmeyer. Cory Kay (Missouri State) would cap the offense with an RBI single.
Border Cat starter Gunnar Kay (Dallas Baptist) went four innings getting a no decision. Reid Peavy (1-0) allowed three runs on four hits striking out two for the win. Michael Daley (Kean University) pitched a clean 7th and 8th before Tyler Lequire (Pfeiffer University) took the save striking out two in the 9th.
The Border Cats look to continue their winning ways back at TbayTel Park Thursday night when they host North Division leading Willmar (19-6) starting at 7:05pm.