THUNDER BAY -- When Cameron Churchill pitches for the Thunder Bay Border Cats, good things usually happen.
But it’s usually bad news for the opposition batters.
Churchill was on his mark again on Saturday at Tbaytel Park, tossing five-and-two-thirds innings of shutout ball to help lead the Border Cats (6-26) to a 2-0 win over the visiting Willmar Stingers, their fourth victory in six outings.
The right-hander, making just his third start for Thunder Bay, was coming off a gem of a performance last Sunday, when he took a perfect game into the seventh inning of a scheduled seven-inning contest, helping the Cats snap an eight-game slide.
Relievers Tom Mullin and Vinny Santarsiero, the newly anointed closer, came on to help secure the shutout, the latter quashing a two-out, bases loaded situation in the eighth before setting the side down in order in the ninth to earn his third save of the season.
Joe Gellenbeck provided all the offence the Border Cats would need, singling home a pair of runs in the first inning, a lead that stood the test of time – and a one-hour rain delay after Mullin hit Greg Lambert to open the eighth.
Churchill, who boasts a 2-0 record with a team-best 2.41 earned run average, said he’s happy playing whatever role the Border Cats want him to play.
“Obviously I want to be the best I can be, but it doesn’t really matter what role I’m going to be, as long as we win. Any way I can help the team win,” said the Nova Southeastern sophomore, who allowed just three hits and three walks before hitting the showers.
While the Border Cats bullpen has struggled most of the season, it was spot on, on Saturday night.
The key difference was when a pitcher found himself in trouble, as Mullin did in both the seventh and eighth, they didn’t let the game get away from them.
A little help from an ever improving defence doesn’t hurt.
Gellenbeck made a diving stab in right for the first out of the seventh, while shortstop Andrew Fregia snagged a pair of bullet shots, one in the eighth, the other in the ninth.
Each had trouble written all over it.
The pitching staff took notice.
“Those are the plays that really get you going as a pitcher,” Santarsiero said. “They pick you up, so then you’ve got to turn around and pick you up. Every time you see one of those plays, as a pitcher it’s just stronger mentally.”
Talk about a pressure situation to enter the game.
After Mullin loaded the bases and departed, the Stingers (15-18) countered with pinch hitter Justin Toerner, a .309 hitter whose 21 RBI nets him 10th spot on the Northwoods League leader board.
One slow roller to second later and the threat was gone.
The lanky right-handed Santarsiero said he's ready to be a shut-down guy.
“Coach gave the closer role. It’s something I did in college two years ago, so I’m used to it. It’s a good way to come down, shut them down and get a win.”
Starter Ty Tice, who allowed just five hits and walked four in six innings, took the loss for Willmar.
The Cats and Stingers wrap up their four-game set on Sunday at 5:05 p.m.
Cat tracks: League president Dick Radatz was in attendance ... The crowd was just 625 ... The win ensures the Border Cats won't set a new futility mark for fewest wins in a half. They are now tied with the 2010 Battle Creek Bombers, who finished 6-30. Thunder Bay has three games left in the first half.
