The Thunder Bay Border Cats evened their record at 3-3 on Saturday as they stopped the Eau Claire Express 7-2 to sweep their opening two-game home series.  The Cats broke open a 1-0 game with a three-run fifth inning, and then leading 4-2, the home side put the game away with three more runs in the bottom of the eighth.

Carson Small (University of New Orleans) picked up his first win as he tossed five innings of shutout ball, giving up four hits, and striking out eight.  The lefthander has yet to give up a run in nine innings this season.  Lucas Mercado (Ouachita Baptist University) notched his first save as the southpaw pitched three innings, allowing one run, while striking out five.

Dante Smith (North Dakota State University) raised his season average to .400 as he  doubled twice and drove in two runs.  Jorge Valdes (Xavier University) had two hits in his Border Cats debut and also knocked in a run, while Gamble Bye (Eastern Oklahoma CC) chipped in with two hits and a run scored.

The Border Cats will meet the Express again Sunday in Eau Claire to open a two-game set at Carson Park at 4:05pm ET.  Luke Bryant (Ohio University) will take to the mound for the Cats, who return home Tuesday to open a six-game homestand against the Minnesota Mud Puppies at 6:35pm.