ROCHESTER, Minn. – Three days into the new Northwoods League season and the Thunder Bay Border Cats are still looking for their first win of 2019.
The host Rochester Honkers scored four times in the third inning on Thursday night and cruised to a 7-3 win at Mayo Field.
It was the long ball that cost the Border Cats (0-3) a shot at the win.
Tim Borden led off the third with a solo shot and later in the inning Craig Shepherd homered with two aboard to pace the Honkers (2-1).
Ryan Wrobleski, who drove in three on the night, also went deep for the home side.
Tyson Fisher had an RBI on a 2-for-4 night and Thunder Bay’s Bryce Jorgenson and Nate Soriano also drove in runs for the Border Cats.
Thunder Bay starter Austin Dafoe was tagged with the loss, yanked with one out in the third. He was charged with all four runs in the inning.
Trent Valentine, the opening day starter, surrendered three more in the fifth and sixth.
Starter Ryan Dorney picked up the win for Rochester scattering five hits and three walks pitching into the seventh.
Reliever Marty Tolson, Jr. picked up the save, retiring the final eight batters of the contest.
The two teams tangle again on Friday.
Thunder Bay returns to Port Arthur Stadium on Saturday to start a six-game home-stand. Game time is 7:35 p.m., to accommodate the post-contest fireworks show.
