THUNDER BAY – Thomas Grilli singled home the winning run in the 10th inning, earning the Thunder Bay Border Cats a 4-3 win over the Waterloo Bucks as they opened a six-game home-stand Saturday at Port Arthur Stadium.
Grilli’s game-winning hit scored Bryce Jorgenson, who pinch ran for catcher Alexander, placed on second to start the 10th, under the Northwoods League’s new rules in 2019, designed to prevent marathon games.
Jorgenson had earlier taken third on a wild pitch by Bucks reliever Jack Dolak, who took the loss, failing to retire a batter after subbing for Dylan Phillips to start the inning.
The Cats rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to tie the game in the seventh.
Down three in the sixth, Jake Engel singled with two aboard, Nate Soriano scoring on the hit, Nick Seamons on an error by centre-fielder Mike Nyisztor, Waterloo's second miscue of the frame.
Andrew Shebloski homered off Waterloo starter Drew Irvine to lead off the seventh, tying the contest 3-3.
Irvine allowed three runs, just one of them earned, over seven innings, striking out six, but left with a no-decision.
Southpaw Mark Anderson put up similar numbers for the Border Cats, exiting after six having allowed seven hits, and three runs, only one of them earned. He walked one and struck out four.
Ryan Windham earned the win in relief for Thunder Bay, giving up a single hit and getting some defensive help when Seamons doubled off Bennett Hostetler on a fly ball to centre to start the inning.
Waterloo, who leads the Great Plains East Division, dropped to 18-15. Thunder Bay, winners of two straight, are 13-19, with three games to go in first-half play, 4.5 games behind the Bucks, who can clinch the first-half title on with a win and an Eau Claire loss.
The Cats and Bucks resume their four-game set on Sunday at Port Arthur Stadium. Game time is 7:35 p.m., pushed back to allow for post-game fireworks.
