The Thunder Bay Border Cats playoff hopes are dead for 2012.
Cats starter Blake Fonfara surrendered four runs in the first inning Thursday night to the visiting Duluth Huskies, and their cross-border rival never looked back, waltzing away with an 11-4 win to keep their own playoff dreams alive for another night.
Duluth catcher Wade was a hitting machine for the Huskies (18-15), homering twice, scoring four times and driving in three in a 4-for-4 performance off a trio of Thunder Bay pitchers.
Taylor Burch also homered for the Huskies.
Patrick Gallagher was the top hitter for the Cats, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
The Cats (15-17) play their final home game of the season Friday night at Port Arthur Stadium against Duluth, before hitting the road for a final pair against Willmar.