BISMARCK, N.D. – Don`t look now, but the Thunder Bay Border Cats are the hottest team in the Northwoods League’s North Division.
The Cats on Friday night won for the seventh time in 10 outings and improved to 2-1 in second-half play, downing the host Bismarck Larks 7-3.
Nick Conti was 3-for-5 at the plate with two runs scored and two RBI in support of Thunder Bay starter Connor Centala (2-1), who lasted seven innings, only allowing a single earned run on four hits and a pair of walks.
Every starter recorded a hit for the Border Cats, who also got a pair of runs batted in from No. 9 hitter Shane Connahan.
Matthew Warkentin had a run-scoring double and a home run for the Larks, going 3-for-4 at the dish.
Bismarck starter Cruz Daddario was solid over seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out three, but nonetheless was tagged with the loss to fall to 4-3.
At 2-1, the Border Cats are alone in fourth place in the North Division, a game back of a three-way tie for first.
Drew Gooch is expected to get the call on Saturday as the two team’s conclude the set at Bismarck Municipal Ballpark.
