Cats eliminated

The Thunder Bay Border Cats uninspired run to a second-half crown ended in St. Cloud on Friday night.

Derek Campbell scored three times and three other River Bats crossed the plate twice, as St. Cloud helped eliminate the Border Cats from contention, downing them 11-9 at home.

Cullen Mahoney singled, doubled and tripled for the Cats and sits third in the Northwoods League batting race at .344, though he’ll be hard pressed to catch LaCrosse’s switch-hitting catcher Andrew Knapp, who leads the way with a .394 average.

Mahoney drove in three of the nine Thunder Bay runs.

David Fallon homered for the Cats (13-15), who now trail Alexandria by eight games in the North Division race, with only seven left to play.

Cory Caruso (0-2) lasted four innings, giving up six runs on 10 hits to take the loss. The win went to St. Cloud reliever Tim Verthein, who spelled a less-than-stellar Andy Urban, who left in the fourth trailing 5-2.

 John Straka is expected to take to the mound on Saturday night for the Cats when the two teams tangle again.