Border Cats lose on bases-loaded, ninth-inning walk

EAU CLAIRE, Wisc. – The second half is starting to slip away from the Thunder Bay Border Cats.

Reliever Ben Hoffman walked three straight batters with two out on Wednesday night, forcing home the winning run as the host Eau Claire Express nipped the Border Cats 2-1 at Carson Park.

The Cats scored first, Bobby Fulkerson scoring on a Shane Shepard sacrifice fly off Express starter Austin Schulfer.

The lead lasted an inning, Eau Claire tying the game 1-1 when Kyle Marinconz singled home Cody Bohanek from second with one out in the seventh off Thunder Bay reliever Tom Mullin, who took over after Joey Burris tossed six innings of five-hit, shutout ball.

Mickey McDonald drew the game-winning, bases loaded walk in the ninth off Hoffman, who slipped to 1-4 with the loss.

A stingy Dylan Smith, who allowed just one hit over three innings of relief, grabbed the win to improve to  jump to 2-1.

The Cats are now 3-5 in second-half play, having lost three straight. They’ll head to Willmar on Thursday to take on the Stingers.

The Express jump to 5-2 and top the Northwoods League’s North Division.