THUNDER BAY - The Border Cats took advantage of the new Extra Inning Rule in a walk-off win against Mankato on Friday.
Trailing 2-0 in the sixth inning, the Border Cats (10-16) relied on solid relief pitching, a two-run home run from Jake Engel, and a walk-off double from Ryne Edmondson to get the 3-2 win over the Mankato Moon Dogs (11-15).
Edmondson was technically the first batter for the Border Cats in the 10th inning, but due to a rule implemented this year in the Northwoods League where team's begin each frame of an extra inning with a runner on second, Thunder Bay's Conor Allard stood in scoring position with none out.
“I think (the rule) is for pace-of-play,” Edmondson said moments after his walk-off hit. “It’s trying to get away from those 17-inning debacles you get. I like it, I gotta be honest.”
It was, perhaps, an unfit ending to Bark in the Park night where 900 fans - and their pooches - watched as the Moon Dogs fell victim to their feline opponent, although fans didn't seem too unhappy with the result.
For most of the night, it looked as though the Dogs would prevail as Mankato’s starting pitcher Jack Schneider was locked in.
The Gilbert, Az. product gave up no runs on two hits, striking out nine Border Cats in five innings.
On the offensive side, Mankato’s Cuba Bess led off the ballgame with a triple and was eventually cashed in.
Michael Perez’s sacrifice fly in the sixth gave Mankato a 2-0 lead.
At risk of further damage, Border Cats reliever Lucas Reid entered the game in the sixth inning with the bases full, but retired Tyler Casagrande on a ground out.
That set the stage for Jake Engel who smashed a full-count offering from Jack Schneider over the wall in right field.
The home run was measured at 390 feet, and was the last pitch Schneider threw on the night.
Reid once again got out of a jam in the bottom half of the sixth leaving two more MoonDogs on base.
“He’s always a big energy guy,” Edmondson said. “He goes out, gets those shutout innings, and he’s screaming and hollering. I think that really fires us up.”
The bats then went quiet for both teams until the 10th inning, when Edmondson's double to left-centre ended the game.
With the win, the Border Cats move just four games back of the division-leading Eau Claire Express.
“There’s something about the team chemistry that’s really keeping us going,” Edmondson said on how they’ve managed to flip a switch after an 0-7 start. “We’re a close group of guys, and battling through that first awful part of the year, I think that’s a big factor for why we’re playing like we have these last couple of games.”
With the loss, Mankato has now lost seven consecutive ball games.
The Border Cats will take on the LaCrosse Loggers at 6:05 p.m. Saturday at Port Arthur Stadium.
