The long wait finally has come to an end as the Thunder Bay Border Cats return to Northwoods League play tonight when they take on the Mankato MoonDogs at ISG Field in the season opener for both clubs. First pitch is scheduled for 7:35pm ET with righthander Caden Fiveash (Oklahoma College-Tonkawa) getting the start on the mound for Thunder Bay. The Border Cats last game was August 11, 2019 after the lone Canadian team in the NWL missed three seasons due to the pandemic and border restrictions. The franchise is also celebrating its 20-year anniversary in 2023.

The Border Cats are under the guidance of first year manager JM Kelly, who also serves as the head coach at East Central College in Missouri. The Cats roster features three local players with righthander Jack Pineau (Creighton University, lefthander Will Droll (University of Pittsburgh) and infielder Porter Jorgenson (Century College), who was signed to a temporary contract on the eve of the season opener. Following a pair of games in Mankato, Thunder Bay will also make stops in Rochester and Waterloo on its opening six-game road trip. The Cats home opener is Tuesday, June 6th, at 6:35pm at Port Arthur Stadium versus the Duluth Huskies. The stadium ticket office is open Monday to Friday from 11:00am to 3:00pm.