Billy Humphrey (Western Illinois University) got the start on the mound for the Cats and had an impressive outing in his final appearance after reaching his innings limit for the season. The righthander took a no-hitter into the fifth inning and wound up going six, allowing just one hit and an unearned run, with six strikeouts. Humphrey retired 13 straight hitters as he upped his record to 5-1. Thunder Bay native Will Droll (University of Pittsburgh) earned his second save by pitching the final three innings, giving up one run, while striking out five.
The Border Cats used a four-run second inning and a four-run sixth inning with Brayden Kuriger (Nicholls State University) going 2-2 at the plate with double and two runs scored while Patrick Engskov (University of Oklahoma) and newcomer Blake Warner (Viterbo University) both produced two-run singles. Travis Chestnut (Texas A&M University) reached bases four times and stole a pair of bases to increase his league leading total to 34. The centre fielder also set a new franchise record for stolen bases in a season, surpassing the mark of 33 set by Quinn Ciccarelli in the Border Cats first year in 2003.
The Cats now hit the road for four games starting Thursday when they open a two-game series in Rochester against the Honkers at 7:35pm ET.
(photo of Travis Chestnut courtesy of Gary Moskalyk)
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The Thunder Bay Border Cats are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in 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, over 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). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.bordercatsbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Border Cats as your favorite team.
