Express throttle reeling Border Cats

Wes Helsaback lasted all of eight batters Friday night.

The Thunder Bay Border Cats hurler was roughed up early by the Eau Claire Express, who scored three times in the opening inning at Port Arthur Stadium and cruised to a 10-2 victory.

The loss was the eighth straight for the spiralling last-place Border Cats, who fell to 1-8 in second-half Northwoods League play.

Lane Milligan had the key blow for the Express, a one-out two-run single, one of three hits he mustered up on the evening.

Newcomer Zach Morganstern took over and tossed 4.1 innings in relief, but gave up nine hits and six runs as Eau Claire capitalized with four in the fourth in front of 464 fans.

Jordan Serena and Sal Taormina had the lone RBIs for Thunder Bay.

The Border Cats will open a two-game home series against the Alexandria Blue Anchors Saturday with the first pitched scheduled for 6:05 p.m.