EAU CLAIRE, Wisc. — An early lead wasn’t enough to earn the Thunder Bay Border Cats their first win of the second half of the Northwoods League season.
The Cats took a 3-0 lead in the first, but it was erased by the third and the host Eau Claire Express rallied late to pull out a 7-5 win and a two-game series sweep to open the second half.
Ryan Nagelbach, a Border Cats killer late in the first half, hit a sacrifice fly to score the go-ahead run and Bronson Rivera later singled to second off Thunder Bay reliever Billy Humphrey, who struggled in two innings of relief, giving up four runs on five hits and a pair of walks to take the loss.
Tanner Carter got the start for Thunder Bay, lasting until there was one out in the third, giving up three runs on four hits and three walks.
Logan Johnstone led the way offensively, going 3-for-5 with an RBI, while newcomer Ryder Hernandez had two hits in three trips to the plate, walking once.
Kaden Galason homered for Eau Claire (2-0).
The win went to Freddy Rodrigues, the fourth of six pitchers who threw for the Express on the night. Starter Isaiah Katz was chased in the first, giving up three runs on four hits and a walk.
Thunder Bay returns home on Thursday night to tangle with the Rochester Honkers, opening a four-game series with their division rivals.
