The Thunder Bay Border Cats broke their four-game losing streak in a big way Thursday as they cut down the first place La Crosse Loggers 13-4 at Port Arthur Stadium.

Trailing 1-0, the Cats erupted for 10 runs in the bottom of the first inning, sending 14 men to the plate, as they upped record to 4-7.  The Loggers record dropped to 7-3.

Outfielder Dante Smith (North Dakota State University) had a career night in one inning as he hit a three-run double and then followed that up with a bases clearing triple, driving in six runs, all in the opening frame.  Stevie Waters (University of British Columbia), Manny Alberto (Western Kentucky University) and newcomer Hayden Crites (McLennan CC) all chipped in with two hits as the Cats snapped out of their hitting slump with 13 hits in the route. Dylan Snead (Ottawa University) also connected for his the Cats first home run of the season, a solo shot leading off the last of the seventh inning, to complete the scoring for Thunder Bay.

Starting pitcher Carson Small (University of New Orleans) benefited from the offensive barrage as he improved his record to 2-0.  The lefthander went six solid innings, allowing four hits and two runs, with two walks and a pair of strikeouts.  Small gave up his first runs of the season and has a sparkling 1.20 ERA over 15 innings pitched.

The Cats and Loggers wrap up their two-game series Friday night at 6:35pm.  Righthander Matteo Pare (Troy University) will make his season debut on the mound for the Border Cats.