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George dominant for Cats in second start

Converted to a Northwoods League starter, Border Cats right-hander allows just three hits pitching into the seventh inning Monday night against the front-running Waterloo Bucks.

THUNDER BAY – Aaron George is a quick learner.

A reliever at San Jacinto College-North, he’s being stretched out as a starter for the Thunder Bay Border Cats this summer.

The results are nothing but positive.

George (W, 1-0) was masterful on Monday night, holding the top-ranked Waterloo Bucks to just three hits over six-and-a-third, leading the Cats to a series-splitting 6-4 win in front of 603 fans at Port Arthur Stadium.

The 20-year-old right-hander didn’t allow a hit until there were two outs in the third, Dalton Hurd legging out an infield single to erase the early no-hit bid, and only made a single mistake on the night.

It almost proved costly for a Border Cats team that stranded 14 runners in eight innings, Josh Elvir grooving a 3-2 pitch over the wall in right with a runner on board, his first home run of 2017 to give the Bucks a 2-1 lead in the fourth.

But George settled back into form while his offence figured out how to cash in on all the base runners.

“I just came out and tried to fill up the zone, have short quick innings and let my defence work,” George said.

“That’s what it’s all about. To go into the game and give your team a good chance to win, you’ve got to have short innings … eliminate the walks and pitch to contact.”

George, whose only previous start lasted just three innings, said learning to become a starter is hard work.

“The main thing that’s different is the pre-game routine and having to pace yourself, knowing you’re going to start and getting warmed up,” the Louisiana native said.

“Then you’re pacing yourself every pitch. Instead of going full out every single pitch, you’re learning to take a little off some and learning when to come in hard.”

That kind of effort on the mound is uplifting to the offence, said shortstop Colin Rosenbaum, who put together a 4-for-5 night at the plate, scoring once and driving in a run with a double in the eighth, scoring Andy Weber from first.

“It makes it a lot better when the pitchers and starters are going out there and making quality pitches. It makes the offence a little bit more relaxed and not having to do too much. So we just go up there … more confident,” said Rosenbaum, who raised his average to .307.

Manager Mitch Feller said other than the Elvir long ball, George was dominant in his second start.

“He was a physical presence on the mound, basically telling guys this was his mound and he threw pretty well for us.”

The Cats (10-18) opened the scoring in the first, Kevin Biondic plating Noah Strohl from second. Colton Thomas evened the score 2-2 in the fifth on an RBI single, then the home side took the lead for good in the sixth on a Strohl sacrifice fly, his 20th RBI of 2017.

Thunder Bay batted around in the eighth against the normally stingy Waterloo bullpen, Thomas driving in Rosenbaum and Strohl with a single off reliever Matthew Perea, who took over from Alec Hernandez with one out in the inning.The Bucks scored a pair off Brady Hill in the ninth and brought the tying run to the plate twice, but were unable to convert. 

Bucks starter Hunter Spencer lasted into the fifth, departing after giving up nine hits and two walks, giving way to Zach Patterson who was tagged with the loss.

Waterloo dropped to 19-8.



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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