Cats stay alive with win over Willmar

Tanner Nivins drove in four runs on a 3-for-4 night, helping the Thunder Bay Border Cats back into the win column with their fourth victory in five games.

The Kitchener native doubled and homered on Saturday night, leading the Cats to a 7-2 win over the first-place Willmar Stingers (16-11), a preserving what slim chance the team has at making a late-season run at a playoff berth.

St. Cloud, tied with Willmar atop the Northwoods League’s North Division also lost, leaving Thunder Bay (11-16) five games out, but facing a magic number of four to avoid elimination.

Garrett Yount tossed seven innings of shutout ball to earn the win, his second against five defeats.

Kenny Battiston drove in a pair for Thunder Bay, who take Sunday off.

Mitch Delfino and Jordan Smith plated the Willmar runs, both of which came in the eighth with the Cats up 6-0.