The Border Cats celebrate a comeback win over the La Crosse Loggers Saturday night.
It was an exciting finish at Port Arthur Stadium on Saturday as the Thunder Bay Border Cats rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to walk-off the La Crosse Loggers 8-7 before 1,015 fans. The victory improved the Cats second half record to 3-1 and their overall record to 21-17.
With the score tied 7-7, Sam Stem (Gonzaga University) was the hero as he drove a ball into right-centre field gap for a base hit to bring home Brody Chrisman (Purdue University) with the winning run. The Cats had tied the game one batter earlier on bases loaded RBI groundout off the bat of Tucker Stockman (University of Southern Mississippi). The Cats built up a 6-2 lead after five innings, only to see the Loggers score three times in the top of the sixth and twice in the eighth to take a 7-6 advantage.
Stem finished two hits on the night and knocked in two runs. Cole Ketzner (University of South Alabama) blasted a solo homer, his fourth of the season, while third baseman Thomas Cooper (Valparaiso University) added two hits in his 2024 debut. Newcomer Mason Lemons (Arkansas State University-Mountain Home) picked up the win in relief.
The Cats are tied for first place atop the Great Plains East Division with the Duluth Huskies at 3-1 and the two teams open a two-game series Sunday at Wade Stadium at 6:35pm ET. Lefthander Adam Metivier (Piedmont University) is the scheduled starter for Thunder Bay in his first appearance of the season.
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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.