Things are starting to get interesting in the Northwoods League’s North Division race.
Joe Gellenbeck sparked a four-run fourth inning Monday with a two-run shot that helped deliver the Thunder Bay Border Cats’ fourth straight victory, a 6-3 doubling of the host Rochester Honkers.
The win boosted the Cats record to 8-5, pulling them to within a half a game of four teams, including the Honkers, who share top spot in the division.
Duluth, St. Cloud and Waterloo are also tied for first.
The homerun for Gellenbeck, his first of the season, was part of a 3-for-4 effort that raised his season average to .341.
The Cats’ Alan Baldwin had a two-RBI night in a winning effort.
Jeremy Charles went five innings to pick up the win for Thunder Bay, allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out four and walking three.
Nate Steger, Mitch Kuebbing and Cole Stapler, who earned the save, didn’t allow a hit or a walk in four innings of relief.
Greg Jakusik took the loss, despite being spotted a 2-0 lead after one.
Thunder Bay will look to continue its winning ways on Tuesday when they travel to Waterloo to take on the Bucks (9-5).
Ty Wiest is expected to get the call for the Border Cats, while Waterloo is scheduled to counter with Preston Church.
