Honkers hang on, down Cats

The Rochester Honkers may be at the bottom of the Northwoods League standings, but never count the perennial powerhouse franchise out.

The Thunder Bay Border Cats learned that the hard way on Tuesday night, falling 6-4 to the defending league finalists at Port Arthur Stadium.

Jake Marasco was 3-for-5 with an RBI and six different Honkers scored, handing the Cats their first home loss of 2011 and dropping their record to 4-3.

Bryce Rippentrop allowed three runs and seven hits over seven innings, striking out nine in taking the win.

Steve Rindelbaub, signed to a temporary contract, may have earned himself a longer look, going 3-for-3 for the Cats and driving in one.

Thunder Bay took an early 1-0 lead in the second, but Rochester stormed back with two in the third and two more in the fourth to go up 4-1.

The Cats pulled to within one in the seventh, but Devin Thaut homered for the Honkers to provide insurance.

Stefan Olson only lasted four innings in front of the Port Arthur Stadium crowd of 473 fans, surrendering nine hits and four runs to take the loss.

Cat tracks: A trio of former Border Cats players heard their names called in Tuesday’s second round of the Major League Baseball draft. Pitcher Chris Marlowe, who played for Thunder Bay in 2009, was taken in the fifth round by the San Francisco Giants. Third baseman Ryan Terry, a member of the 2008 championship team, went in the 21st round to Tampa Bay, while Ryan Court, from last year’s squad, was taken in the 23rd round by Arizona.