Rally Falls Short for Border Cats

By Lance Jones

Evan Berkey’s RBI single in the seventh inning was the difference as the Rochester Honkers held on for a 3-2 win over the Thunder Bay Border Cats in game one of a four game series. The Honkers (5-2) picked up their second win in as many nights, while the Border Cats (0-7) continue to search for an elusive first win.

Honkers starter Ryan Middendorf (1-0), struck out eight batters and spread out five hits over seven innings of work. Middendorf’s counterpart, Border Cat starter Tyler Hansen (0-1) took a tough luck loss as he only allowed two runs over five and two-thirds.

With no one on base, Ryan Wrobleski hit his second homer of the season in the top of the first off of Hansen.

In the fourth, Brennan Schmitt would knock Wrobleski home on a ground ball to extend the Honkers lead to 2-0.

The Border Cats offense had their chances and none bigger than in the bottom of the fifth. They would load the bases, but couldn’t come up with any two out magic. Middendorf was able to place his high velocity fastball well and work in his curve and slider effectively to keep hitters off balance.

Berkey’s single in the seventh plated Joey Daini. Daini got aboard on his first hit of the season, a one-out double off of reliever Austin Eggleston.

The Border Cats would get after Honker reliever Marty Tolson Jr in the eighth. Tyson Fisher parked a two-run bomb, scoring Ryne Edmondson, but that is as close as the Border Cats would get.

Tolson would pick up his second save of the season retiring the last five batters he faced, striking out three over two innings of work.

Relievers Eggleston and Aaron Kern gave Thunder Bay’s offense a chance to get back in the game as they pitched effectively at the back end of the bullpen.

Thunder Bay and Rochester will play game two on Tuesday night with first pitch slated for 7:05pm. It is Toonie Tuesday with $2 Kid’s Tickets, $2 Pizza Slices and $2 Pop. Attendance was 415.