The Thunder Bay Border Cats were swept in double header action at Franklin Rogers Park in Mankato, Minnesota. Game one was a make up game of the rain out from Saturday night and ended in a tight scoreline 3-1 for Mankato. Game two seen the MoonDogs score four in the first inning on the way to an 8-3 victory.
Game one saw the Border Cats (13-21) strike first in the top of the third. Nick Studer (Doane College) hit an RBI single, his team leading 21st, to plate Ty Blankmeyer (St. John's University). Blankmeyer went 2-4 in the loss.
The top third of the MoonDogs (20-14) order went 6-9 collectively with an RBI and two runs scored. Peter Maris went 3-3 while Tyler Sullivan went 2-3 for the Dogs, while Tanner Rockwell hit his 2nd homer of the season.
Wesley Helsabeck (Winston Salem State) made his first start of the season and was a tough luck loser, dropping his record to 0-2. Helsabeck allowed three earned runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out three. Michael Daley (Kean University) went 1 1/3 innings of one hit ball in relief, but the Cats could not find a way back into the contest.
In the Top of the 7th the Cats loaded the bases with one out, but Blankmeyer was forced to ground into a double play by MoonDog reliever Garrett Ring. MoonDog starter Ethan Green earned the win to go to 3-2.
Game two seen the MoonDogs jump on Border Cat Starter Yuji Suzuki (Concordia University-St. Paul) with four runs in the first. This was all the offense the Dogs needed to ensure the sweep.
Ridge Smith and Levi Scott led the way for Mankato with 3-3 nights. Smith parked his 4th homer of the season, hammered a triple and drove in five RBI's in the game. This was all the offense MoonDog Starter Jake Jenkins needed to earn the win.
Suzuki pitched a complete game for the Border Cats but dropped to 1-2 on the summer. The Toronto born Suzuki went six innings, allowing eleven hits and eight runs, all earned, with a walk.
The Border Cats offense managed eight hits, half of them doubles. Adam Collins (Central Michigan) went 2-3 with a pair of doubles and a run scored. Jordan Serena (Columbia University) and Studer also chimed in two hit nights with Serena knocking in his 9th RBI and Studer with his team leading 7th double. Robb Paller (Columbia University) also had an RBI double with a pair of walks.
The Border Cats return home to TBaytel Park for a matchup with the Duluth Huskies on Monday night. First pitch is slated for 7:35pm. There is Canada Day Eve post-game fire works and the Fountain Tire Limited Edition Player Jersey Auction with Proceeds going to Special Olympics
