The Thunder Bay Border Cats opened the 2025 season on a winning note, withstanding a furious comeback bid to score a road victory over the Eau Claire Express.
The Thunder Bay bats came out swinging early but saw a 12-run lead cut to just one heading into the ninth, with the Border Cats holding on to prevail 12-11 at Carson Park in Eau Claire, Wisc., on Northwoods League Opening Day on Monday.
Camden Tanner (University of Alabama-Monticello) paced the Border Cats attack, going 4-for-4 at the plate and driving in five runs, with Braxton Templin (Georgetown University) bringing home three others.
Thunder Bay jumped out to a 12-0 lead through the first four-and-a-half innings, with a four-run second frame followed by a pair of runs in the third, and then six more in the fourth.
The Express rolled their way back into the game, starting with five runs in the fourth. Eau Claire turned the contest into a nailbiter late, tacking on five more runs in the eighth to get within one before a two-out diving grab by Tanner in left field ended a bases-loaded threat.
Right-hander Jackson Hohensee (Arizona Christian University) pitched a clean ninth inning, striking out the final two Express hitters, to collect the save.
Tyler Talbert (University of Texas-Arlington) was credited with the win on the mound.
This marks the third straight season the Border Cats have prevailed in their season opener.
The Border Cats and Express wrap up their two-game series Tuesday night at Carson Park at 7:05 p.m. ET. The Border Cats’ home opener is Wednesday at 6:35pm against the Rochester Honkers at Port Arthur Stadium. It’s “Weenie Wednesday” with 2-for-1 hot dogs and the first 500 fans receive a 2025 Magnetic Schedule courtesy of Official Parcel Service and Roach’s Taxi. During the four-game homestand, there’s also fireworks following Friday’s game with the Honkers, which starts at 7:35pm.
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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’ 32nd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history 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, nearly 2400 NWL alums have been drafted and over 380 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 (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford 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, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove, two-time Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com), ESPN+, and the Northwoods League Network. Learn more and find complete streaming schedules at watchnwl.com. 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 favourite team.