Caleb Bunch (pictured), made his last appearance of the season a memorable one as he pitched seven shutout innings on Tuesday.
For the second straight game, it was another low scoring affair on Tuesday and the Thunder Bay Border Cats rallied past the Rochester Honkers 2-1 before 474 fans on a chilly night at Port Arthur Stadium. It was the final game of the first half of the Northwoods League season as Thunder Bay won for the fifth time in six games to finish with a record of 18-16.
Caleb Bunch (Northwestern State University) made his final start of the season and the tall righthander pitched another gem. The Keller, Texas, native fired seven shutout innings, allowing just hits, while striking out nine Rochester batters.
After the Honkers broke the scoreless tie with a run in the top of the eighth, the Border Cats tied it 1-1 in the bottom the inning on an RBI single by Brody Christman (Purdue University). In the bottom of the ninth, the Cats loaded the bases with one out when Ty Hamilton (Florida Southwestern State College) hit a ground ball to second base and Ty Brooks (University of South Alabama) was forced out at home. However, Rochester catcher Augusto Mungarrieta threw the ball down the right field line in an attempt to get Hamilton at first base for what would have been an inning ending double play. Brayden Kuriger (Nicholls State University) scampered home from second base with the winning run on the throwing error. Chrisman, Brooks, Cole Ketzner (University of South Alabama) and Lucas Terilli (Eastern New Mexico University) all collected two hits as the Cats took three out of four games in the series against the Honkers. Max Ramriez IV (Niagara University) pitched a scoreless ninth to get the win and improve his record to 4-0.
The Border Cats continue their eight-game homestand Wednesday when they open the second half of the schedule against the St. Cloud Rox. First pitch is set for 6:35pm. Righthander Andrew Hardin (Tarleton State University) will take his 2-1 record to the mound for Thunder Bay. It’s also “Weenie Wednesday” with 2-for-1 hot dogs presented by Sysco Food Service. The stadium ticket office opens at 10:00am.
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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.