Pitcher Andrew Hardin (pictured), improved to 2-0 on the season as the Border Cats completed a two-game sweep of the Eau Claire Express on Monday night.
Righthander Andrew Hardin (Southwestern University), gave the Border Cats bullpen a much needed rest on Monday as he pitched Thunder Bay to a 2-1 victory over Eau Claire to complete a two-game sweep of the Express at Port Arthur Stadium. Hardin fired 7 2/3 innings, allowing just five hits and an unearned run, with no walks and six strikeouts as the Border Cats upped their first place record in the Great Plains East Division to 7-1. After the Express cut the Thunder Bay lead to 2-1 in the top of the eighth inning, Oakville, ON., native Carter Wall (University of Utah) got the final four outs for his first save of the season.
The Border Cats scored both of their runs in the fourth inning when a bloop single off the bat of Kenneth Sugi (Missouri University of Science & Technology), fell in left field when the ball was lost in the sun between the outfielder and shortstop. Cole Ketzner (University of South Alabama) had two hits in the win, including a double.
The Cats are off Tuesday and continue their six-game homestand Wednesday against Duluth in the first game of the season series against the Huskies for the Superior Cup. Kansai Sugimoto (Yavapai CC), is scheduled to make his second start of the season. The Japanese righthander pitched five shutout innings in his debut against La Crosse, but received a no decision in a 5-4 loss to the Loggers.
It’s also Weenie Wednesday with two-for-one hot dogs presented by Sysco Food Service.
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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. Entering its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 26 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 350 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 (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, 2021 and 2023 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team 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 Rockers as your favorite team.