Border Cats Drop Heartbreaker to Honkers, Look to Bounce Back Friday Under the Lights
THUNDER BAY – May 29, 2025 – It was a battle to the final pitch at Port Arthur Stadium, but the Thunder Bay Border Cats couldn’t quite make it two in a row, falling just short in a 6–5 nail-biter to the visiting Rochester Honkers on Thursday night.
Early Thunder Bay Thunder
The Cats came out swinging, building a 4–2 lead through four innings, with the hometown crowd roaring in the fourth as shortstop Manny Alberto (Three Rivers CC) crushed a two-run homer over the right field fence—Thunder Bay’s first long ball of 2025, and a moment fans won’t soon forget.
Fifth Inning Flip
But baseball is a game of momentum, and in the fifth, the Honkers flipped the script.
Rochester posted a four-run frame to steal the lead, with Drew Charney delivering the dagger—a clutch two-run single to left that put the visitors ahead. Honkers catcher Angel Cortez added to the damage, going 2-for-3 with 2 RBI in a solid night at the plate.
After that, Rochester’s bullpen slammed the door, holding the Cats scoreless the rest of the way.
Bright Spots in the Loss
Despite the final score, there were strong showings from the Cats’ lineup, led once again by Trae Cassidy (Ohio University), who stayed red-hot at the plate.
Cassidy went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI, and a stolen base, boosting his series line to a jaw-dropping:
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7-for-8 (.875 average)
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6 runs scored
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3 RBI
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5 stolen bases
This guy’s doing it all, and the Cats crowd is loving it.
Series Tied, Big Friday on Deck
The four-game series between these Great Plains East Division rivals is now tied at 1-1, with both clubs sitting at 2-2 on the season.
The Cats will hand the ball to right-hander Jackson Irwin on Friday night, as they look to take the series lead. And fans, you won’t want to miss it—“Flyaway Friday” includes a chance to win airline tickets, and fireworks will light up the sky after the final out.
First pitch: 7:35 p.m. ET
Port Arthur Stadium
Come for the game, stay for the show. Let’s go, Cats!
