WILLMAR, Minn. – The Thunder Bay Border Cats are struggling down the stretch and the cold streak continued on Tuesday night as they hit the road for one final 2023 road trip.
The Cats gave up two runs in the first, four more in the fourth and wound up on the losing end of a 12-decision against the Willmar Stingers, their pitching staff torched for double digits for the third straight contest.
Sean Rimmer did the bulk of the damage for the host Stingers, belting two home runs and driving in four, one of three Willmar batters to pick up three hits on the night, the heart of the order going 9-for-14 with six runs scored.
Blake Warner drove in Thunder Bay’s lone run, in the seventh, drawing a bases loaded walk, the first batter to face Willmar reliever Aaron Ragat.
Riely Hunsaker drew the start for the Border Cats and surrendered six runs on a dozen hits, striking out four. Ryan Garvey gave up four more runs in one inning of work as Hunsaker’s replacement.
Ethan Stade tossed a steady five innings of three-hit, shutout ball to pick up the win, improving to 2-0 on the season.
The Stingers, playoff bound in the Northwoods League’s Great Plains West Division, improved to 22-8, winning for a seventh straight outing.
The Border Cats dropped their fourth in a row and fell to 10-23, last in the Great Plains East Division.
