Cats double Stingers for first win

Evan Weibel had two hits and a pair of RBI on Thursday night, pacing the Thunder Bay Border Cats to their first victory of the 2011 season.

A four-run first was more than enough to ensure the Cats would even their record at 1-1, doubling the host Willmar Stingers 6-3.

Kevin Taylor started the rally with a run-scoring double that plated David Fallon. Mike Hubbard followed with a single off Wilmar starter Kody Gordon (0-1), who was saddled with the loss, to put the Cats up 2-0.

Taylor crossed the plate on a Weibel ground out and Hubbard scored on a Steve Rindelbaub single. Thunder Bay added another run in the second to go up 5-1, then up two in the ninth, Weibel singled home returnee Ty Wosleger with the game’s final run.

John Straka took the win for the Cats, pitching 5.1 innings of two hit ball in his debut appearance. He gave up three runs, just two earned.

Thunder Bay and Willmar wrap up their three-game set on Friday.

The Cats return to Thunder Bay on Monday for their home opener against Rochester, following a pair on the road against Alexandria.