Jordan Serena (Columbia University) swipes second base, one of two steals for the Border Cat Second Baseman on the night. The Border Cats dropped a close one 7-4 to the Blue Anchors in action at TBaytel Park. (Photo Courtesy of James Mirabelli Photography).
An error led to a four run 7th inning as the Alexandria Blue Anchors (12-33, 3-8) downed the Thunder Bay Border Cats (15-30, 1-9) 7-4 in action at TBaytel Park. The error was one of four on the night which exacerbates a season long nine game losing streak. With the win the Blue Anchors snapped a six game winless streak of their own.
Alexandria First Baseman Rickey Sanchez lead the way, with the game winning hit going 1-3 counting three RBI's and a sac fly. Cam Duzenack had a 2-4 night with two runs scored while gathering up his 4th RBI of the year. Eight of nine hitters in the Blue Anchor order reached base via hit or walk.
Border Cat leadoff hitter Jordan Serena (Columbia University) and clean up man Christian Correa (Nicholls State) each went 2-4 with a walk in the loss. They also drove in the only runs of the ball game as Serena picked up RBI's 11 and 12 while Correa chalked up number 14.
Spencer Koopmans made the start for Alexandria and earned his first win (1-1). His fastball/changeup combination led to six strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings where he only allowed three hits and one run, walking a pair. Kevin Walsh allowed a pair of hits in the 9th but collected his 3rd save.
It was a tough loss to take for Yuji Suzuki (Concordia University-St. Paul) who dropped to 1-3. The Toronto born Border Cat, put together a quality start, pitching to contact and getting ground ball outs, going six strong striking out two allowing three hits and two runs while walking three.
The game started ominously for Thunder Bay as 1-2 hitters Craig Nenning and Duzenack hit back to back doubles to give Alexandria a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st. Sanchez would double that on the sacrifice fly to centerfield to count Duzenack.
The Border Cats would respond in the home half. Cory Kay (Missouri State) doubled to the gap in left-center before Correa knocked him in.
After that Koopmans and Suzuki settled in to a rhythm exchanging shut out innings and would both leave the game with the 2-1 score still standing.
In the 7th the Blue Anchors would put it out of reach. A Border Cat error lead to four unearned runs being scored off of Nathan Aultman (Northwestern State) and Michael Daley (Kean University). Blue Anchor clean up hitter Roman Collins drew a bases loaded free pass. That was followed up with back-to-back singles by Sanchez and Aaron Gretz to make it a 6-1 game.
The Border Cats would respond by loading the bases at the dish in the bottom of the inning. Nick Studer (Doane College), Adam Collins (Central Michigan) and Ty Blankmeyer (St. John's University) all hit singles to get on. Serena would clear the bases with a single to center, that coupled with a Blue Anchor error would allow all runners to score. That was as close as Thunder Bay would get, as Alexandria tacked on an insurance run in the 9th to finish proceedings.
The Border Cats look to exact a measure of revenge on Sunday night. They will send Righty Charles Thielmann (Kean University) (2-2, 3.74) to the mound against Blue Anchor southpaw Zach Muckenhirn (1-3, 7.02). First pitch at TBaytel Park is scheduled for 5:05pm EDT.