Thunder Bay, ON – The Thunder Bay Border Cats kicked off their Canada Day weekend homestand with a decisive 6-3 victory over the Mankato MoonDogs on Friday, June 27, 2025, at Port Arthur Stadium. The win comes as the Border Cats look to close a three-and-a-half game gap in their division, relying on their potent offense and hoping for stronger pitching to propel them forward.
The Border Cats demonstrated their hitting prowess early, scoring two runs in the first inning to set the tone. Despite their bats blazing throughout the first half of the season, pitching consistency and hitting the strike zone have been ongoing challenges for the team.
The MoonDogs managed to get on the scoreboard in the second inning, making it a 2-1 game. However, the Cats extended their lead in the third.
After a great double play by the Border Cats closed out the MoonDogs in the top of the third, Camden Tanner (DH) ignited the offense in the bottom half. Tanner reached base with a solid hit to left field and then stole second, firing up both the team and the crowd. Jordan Bach (RF) followed with a hit to the infield, which the MoonDogs’ second baseman bobbled, allowing Bach to reach second and Tanner to score from second, putting the Cats up 3-1.
A wild pitch soon brought Bach home, further increasing the lead to 4-1.
Mankato threatened in the top of the fifth, loading the bases, but the Border Cats’ defense once again came up big with a crucial double play to escape potential major trouble. The MoonDogs did manage to walk in one run, narrowing the gap to 4-2.
However, the Border Cats responded forcefully in the bottom of the fifth. Camden Tanner led off, reaching base after another bobbled throw by the MoonDogs’ second baseman. Jordan Bach was then hit by a pitch, advancing to first.
With runners on first and third, Manny Alberto (SS) stepped up and delivered a solid double to the left field corner, allowing Lucas Johnson (LF) to score and pushing the Cats’ lead. Jeremy Sheffield (1B) then drew a walk, loading the bases with one out. Corey Morro (3B) also walked, bringing Camden Tanner across home plate and increasing the Border Cats’ lead to 6-2.
The MoonDogs then made a pitching change, bringing in Hayden Crews. Despite the loaded bases, Duncan Keys (C) struck out on a full count to end the inning.
In the top of the sixth, the MoonDogs added another run when Bryant Viskovich (CF) scored on a putout by Cannon Peery (RF), making the score 6-3. George Hansen came in to pitch for the Border Cats during this inning.
The MoonDogs sent Adrian Beltre Jr., son of Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre, to the mound in the bottom of the eighth. Despite the change, the Border Cats maintained their lead, and Hansen closed out the game for Thunder Bay, earning his second save of the season.
Key Game Statistics:
•Final Score: Thunder Bay Border Cats 6, Mankato MoonDogs 3.
•Hits: Border Cats 5, MoonDogs 5.
•Errors: Border Cats 1, MoonDogs 2.
•Winning Pitcher: Jackson Irwin (4-1, 8.71 ERA).
•Losing Pitcher: Augden Hallmark (2-2, 6.86 ERA).
•Save: George Hansen (2, 1.74 ERA).
•Double Plays: Thunder Bay Border Cats turned crucial double plays in the 3rd and 5th innings.
•Stolen Bases: Lucas Johnson (1), Camden Tanner (1), Corey Morro (1) for Border Cats; Josey Williamson (1) for MoonDogs.
•Doubles: Manny Alberto (1) for Border Cats.
The Border Cats, with their strong offensive performance, are hoping this win will be a catalyst as they continue their homestand and strive to climb to the top of the league standings. The Border Cats play the MoonDogs on Saturday starting at 6:35 PM at Port Arthur Stadium.
