The Thunder Bay Border Cats wrapped up their series with Lacrosse on Wednesday night, losing 5-3 to the Loggers before 1,025 fans at Port Arthur Stadium for a split of the two-game set. The Loggers broke a 1-1 tie scoring three times in the sixth inning as the Cats overall record slipped to 23-31.
Patrick Engskov (University of Oklahoma) once again led Thunder Bay offensively as he went 3-for-4 with his third home run in three games. After scoring in the bottom of the ninth to make it 5-3, Thunder Bay loaded the bases, but Cole Ketzner (University of South Alabama) hit a deep fly ball to left field that was caught near the warning track to end the game.
Thunder Bay’s Will Droll (University of Pittsburgh) got the start on the mound for the Cats and the lefthander had a strong outing, pitching 4 2/3 innings, and allowing just one run on three hits with three strikeouts. Ryan Vondracek (Crown College) gave up two runs in relief to take the loss as his record dropped to 0-1.
The Border Cats head south down Highway 61 on Thursday to open a two-game series in Duluth against the Huskies at 7:35pm ET. Righthander Robert Spencer (Texas A&M University-Kingsville is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Border Cats. The Cats retun home for two more games with the Huskies on Saturday at 6:35pm and Sunday at 1:35pm.
(photo of Will Droll courtesy of James Mirabelli Photography)
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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.