THUNDER BAY – Opening Night for the Thunder Bay Border Cats will carry over into a second day.
The club’s Northwoods League campaign opener Tuesday night was suspended due to a steady downpour at Tbaytel Park, with the Border Cats trailing the Mankato MoonDogs 6-2 through three innings.
But the rain might be a good thing for a squad still trying to come together, said Border Cats acting manager Cole Mahoney-Bruer.
“I think the scary thing is (Mankato) looked like they were already together for a little while and seemed comfortable,” he said.
“I think for them, this is probably worst case. For us, this is best case. We got the lumps out and the game’s not over. We have a chance to come back and do some damage. I think it’s a blessing for our team.”
Already ahead by two, Mankato struck for a four-run inning after capitalizing on Border Cats defensive miscues.
With the leadoff batter retired, Thunder Bay starter Austin Paisar got MoonDogs hitter Jake Shepski to swing at a third strike on a ball in the dirt but first baseman Ryan Sutterer was not able to hang on to the throw to convert the out.
Paisar then plunked the next batter before allowing a single to load the bases.
That set up a run-scoring single off the bat of Mankato’s Brick Paskiewicz, with a second run crossing the plate after Paisar mishandled the relay throw into the infield.
Jordan Kozicky followed with a single to drive in the frame’s third run with Alex Tucker adding another on a sacrifice fly.
“I think guys were trying a little too hard and pushing. Just coming together they’re wanting to do their best,” Mahoney-Bruer said.
“It didn’t go their way and they didn’t react the way I’m sure they would like but hopefully we’ve got that out of our system.”
Of the six runs surrendered by Paisar, only two of them were earned.
The local duo of Cooper Lamke and Bryce Jorgenson kick started a small rally in the bottom half, leading off the inning with a single and walk respectively. They came around to score on a throwing error by MoonDogs second baseman Drew Fearing on a routine grounder hit by Brandon Langan.
That marked the end of action before the umpiring crew called for the tarps. After a two-hour delay, play was formally suspended.
The teams will resume and conclude the full-length opener at 11 a.m. Tomorrow’s scheduled game will be seven innings and will begin 30 minutes following the end of the first match.
Having such a busy day so early in the season will be a trial by fire for many of the players, especially the hurlers.
“All the pitchers are probably going to get a chance to throw, the bullpen guys,” Mahoney-Bruer said. “It’s kind of nice. We’ll get to see what they have and they’ll get their feet wet early so we’ll all be comfortable with each other, the field and the league.”
