The Thunder Bay Border Cats played their first game in the Northwoods League since 2019 on Monday in Mankato and they made it a winning one with an 12-0 blanking of the MoonDogs at ISG Field. The Border Cats got off to a quick start, scoring three runs in the top of the 1st inning and Thunder Bay starter Caden Fiveash (Oklahoma College-Tonkawa) took it from there as the righthander pitched five shutout innings to get the win. Fiveash allowed just one hit and struck out seven before turning it over to the bullpen. Lefthander Shane Kearbey (University of St. Louis-Missouri) tossed three scoreless innings, surrendering just one hit, and Tanner Carter (Tarleton State University) pitched the ninth to complete the shutout and the opening night win.
At the plate, lead-off man Lucas Terilli (East Central College) had two hits, including a double, an RBI and a run scored, while Peter Fusek (Western Illinois University) went 2-for-3 with a triple and two runs scored. Catcher Carter Allen (Alvin CC) also chipped in with two hits and two runs scored as the Cats put the game away with a five-run 9th inning.
It was also a winning debut for new Border Cats manager JM Kelly and his assistant coaches Nolan Atkins and Jeremy Rae Howard. The two teams meet again Tuesday night in Mankato at 7:35pm ET with righthander Peyton Fosher (University of Nevada) the scheduled starter for Thunder Bay. The Border Cats home opener is Tuesday, June 6, at Port Arthur Stadium at 6:35pm against the Duluth Huskies. The stadium ticket office is open weekdays from 11:00am to 3:00pm.
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Entering its’ 30th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 24 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, 325 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live for FREE via the Northwoods League website at watchnwl.com as well as select games on ESPN+ and ESPNU. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
