THUNDER BAY -- Needing three runs to tie and four to win, the Thunder Bay Border Cats loaded the bases in the ninth inning Saturday night, just one out recorded by the opposition.
But the Cats (2-2) couldn’t find a timely hit or two to close the gap, stranding three runners in going down to a 5-2 home-field defeat at the hands of the visiting Waterloo Bucks at Tbaytel Park.
Robert Neustrom drove in three runs for Waterloo, doubling twice.
It was a rough outing for Border Cats starter Cameron Church, who led his team to shutout wins in his previous two starts.
Churchill gave up four runs on 10 hits to take the loss, his first in three decisions since joining the Border Cats last month.
Andy Weber (three) and Shane Shepard, who homered, combined for five of Thunder Bay’s seven hits on the night.
The win went to Waterloo’s Jordan Acetta, despite his departurn
