MEIER COMMITTS TO CATS

The man who had his fingerprints on the 2008 Border Cats NWL Championship season will be in the dugout in 2009.  Bobby Meier, a native of Lutz, FL, has agreed to take over as manager of the Cats.  Meier was originally hired as Cats skipper on November 14, 2007, but had to turn the position back due to summer work committments.  A former catcher in the New York Yankees organization, Meier recruited several of the players on the 2008 Cats roster that captured the league title under manager Devin McIntosh.  McIntosh, who guided the Cats to a league best 42-26 record was unable to return for the 2009 season after accepting a new position as pitching coach at the University of Buffalo.  Meier is currently assistant baseball coach at Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix, AZ.  He is also a scout with the Atlanta Braves and is excited about the opportunity to manage the defending league champions. "Obviously there is a very good core of players who are eligible to return, we need to solidify that base and build from there."  Meier, who becomes the seventh manager in Cats history has NWL experience after serving two seasons as pitching coach with the Mankato MoonDogs.   

ASHENBRENNER, LIND, ZEHR WIN AWARDS

One of the key components of a championship team is being strong up the middle of the diamond, and the 2008 Thunder Bay Border Cats were no exception.  Shortstop Josh Ashenbrenner, second baseman Connor Lind, and pitcher Dan Zehr had the top fielding percentage at their respective positions as they collected the 2008 NWL Rawlings Finest in the Field Awards.  The awards recognize the top fielders at their respective positions throughout the 14 team league.  Zehr, (Northeastern) not only led the league in earned run average, but also had the most fielding opportunites for a pitcher without committing an error.  The lefthander from Guelph, ON, had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage to collect the mound award.  Ashenbrenner, (Lewis-Clark State) committed only eight errors in 60 games at shortstop for a .969 fielding percentage.  Lind, (Furman) made only six errors in 62 games and had a .987 fielding percentage.  For a complete list of league winners click on our Northwoods League link.   

  BORDER CATS 2008 NWL CHAMPIONS!

The Border Cats captured their second Northwoods League Championship in four years, coming from behind to beat the Madison Mallards 6-5 in the third and deciding game on Sunday night.  A crowd of 1,872 at Port Arthur Stadium cheered loudly as the Cats rallied for three runs in the bottom of the 8th to erase a 5-3 Madison lead.  Derek Wiley (Belmont) hit a two-run home run in the 1st inning and drove home the tying run with an infield single in the last of the 8th.  A throwing error by Mallards shortstop Brandon Wikoff on Wiley's infield hit scored Mike O'Neill (USC) with the winning run.  Michael Raymond (Belmont Abbey) had a solid start in the deciding game for Thunder Bay.  The righthander went six innings, allowing six hits and one run, with one walk and seven strikeouts.  Brett Holland (Texas-Tyler) picked up the win in relief, improving his playoff record to 2-0.  Jimmy Stanley (Belmont) closed out another win for the Cats in the top of the 9th for his second save of the playoffs and 17th overall.  Wiley was also selected Northwoods League Player of the Night.  The Border Cats played four straight one run games in the playoffs and won the opener of the North Division Final by a 5-3 score over Mankato with a pair of runs in the top of the 9th.  Counting their magical post season run, the Cats compiled an overall record of 46-27 under the direction of first year manager Devin McIntosh.  The Cats second championship once again came against the Mallards as Thunder Bay defeated Madison in three games in 2005. 

CATS & DUCKS GO TO GAME 3

The Madison Mallards forced a third and deciding game in the Northwoods League Championship, beating the Border Cats 4-3 Saturday night before a season high crowd of 2,135 at Port Arthur Stadium.  Jon Kelton became the first player in Cats history to record a multi-homer game, connecting for a pair of solo shots.  The left fielder from the University of Alabama had a 2-4 night at the plate.  Josh Ashenbrenner (Lewis-Clark State) went 3-4 and Ryan Terry (Monmouth) had two hits in four at bats with a RBI single.  Danny Rosenbaum took the loss for Thunder Bay.  The lefthander from Xavier pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing four hits, four runs (two earned), with three walks and five strikeouts.  Dan Zehr (Northeastern) kept the Cats close throwing 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, giving up just one hit and striking out six.  The Cats had the tying run at third base with one out in the bottom of the 9th, but couldn't get the runner home.  Game 3 is set for Sunday night at 7:05 p.m. at the stadium.  Michael Raymond (Belmont Abbey) is the scheduled starter for the Cats.  Raymond had a 5-3 record with a 3.33 ERA during the regular season in 12 games including 10 starts.  The Mallards will counter with righthander Alex Rivers.  Rivers went 4-1 this season with an earned run average of 3.68.  Tickets for Game 3 will go on sale Sunday at 9:00 a.m. at the Border Cats stadium ticket office.  Season ticket holders and host family members have until 1:00 p.m. to purchase their seats.   

CATS BLANK MALLARDS IN OPENER

The Border Cats grabbed a 1-0 lead in the Northwoods League Championship Series Friday night at Warner Park in Madison, shutting out the Mallards 1-0.  Belmont teammates Nate Woods and Jimmy Stanley combined on a four hitter to blank the Mallards as the Cats again won their playoff series opener on the road.  Woods went eight innings, giving up four hits, with two walks and three strikeouts.  For his strong performance on the mound, Woods was named Northwoods League Player of the Night.  Stanley pitched a 1-2-3 9th inning with one strikeout for his first save of the playoffs and 16th overall.  The Cats scored the game's only run in the top of the 8th.  Ryan Terry (Monmouth) opened the inning with a single and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Connor Lind (Furman).  Mike O'Neill (USC) then delivered a run scoring double to plate Terry with the game winning run.  O'Neill went 2-4 on the night as did Chris Curley (Campbellsville).  Game 2 in the Best of 3 series is set for Saturday night at Port Arthur Stadium at 7:05 p.m.  Lefthander Danny Rosenbaum (Xavier) is the scheduled starter for Thunder Bay.  Rosenbaum had a 3-1 record during the regular season with a 1.64 ERA in 10 games including eight starts.  The Mallards will counter with Joe Yermal.  The righthander went 4-0 with an earned run average of 4.42.  Tickets for Game 2 are still available and will go on sale Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Border Cats stadium ticket office.  Game 3 if necessary is scheduled for Sunday also at 7:05 p.m. at the stadium. 

CATS WIN SERIES IN THRILLER

The Border Cats rallied for three runs in the bottom of 9th inning for a stunning 4-3 win over Mankato to capture the North Division Championship two games to none.  With a crowd of 1,534 still cheering loudly, the Cats were down 3-1 before a RBI single by Ryan Terry scored Chris Curley (Campbellsville) to make it 3-2.  Curley started the rally with a one out walk and Josh Ashenbrenner (Lewis-Clark State) reached on an error  Then with two outs, and runners on first and third, Connor Lind (Furman) hit a chopper to shortstop that was bobbled by Bobby Munoz for an infield hit that scored Ashenbrenner.  In an effort to still get Lind at first base, Munoz threw the ball away for an error that scored Terry all the way from first base with the winning run.  Terry accounted for the Cats first run, with a solo home run in the bottom of the 8th making it 3-1 Mankato.  The freshman outfielder from Monmouth, went 2-4 with two runs batted in and a pair of  runs scored.  For his efforts, Terry was named Northwoods League Player of the Night.  Brett Holland (Texas-Tyler) pitched a scoreless 9th inning with two strikeouts to pick up the win.  Thunder Bay starter Austin Evans went eight innings, allowing five hits and three runs.  The righthander from the University of Alabama walked two and struck out eight.  The Cats now advance to the Northwoods League Championship Series.  The best of three final opens Friday night in Madison. The Mallards won the South Division Final, thumping the Wisconsin Woodchucks 14-5 to sweep that series.  Game 2 against the Mallards is set for Saturday at Port Arthur Stadium at 7:05 p.m.  Game 3 if necessary, is scheduled for Sunday also at the stadium at 7:05 p.m.  Tickets for Game 2 of the league final will go on sale at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at the stadium box office.  Season ticket holders have until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday to purchase their seats.  The Border Cats won the 2005 Northwoods League Championship beating Madison two games to one. 

CATS TAKE PLAYOFF OPENER

Derek Wiley's two out, two-run single in the top of the 9th inning broke a 3-3 tie as the Border Cats won Game One of the North Division Final, 5-3 over the MoonDogs in Mankato on Tuesday night.  The Belmont first baseman drove home Connor Lind (Furman) and Mike O'Neill (USC) who both drew one out walks to start the Thunder Bay rally.  O'Neill went 2-3 at the plate with a double, one run batted in, and a run scored.  Seth Frankoff (UNC-Wilmington) pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing four hits, one unearned run, with three walks and a pair of strikeouts.  Jimmy Stanley (Belmont) got the win, giving up two hits and striking out one over 1 2/3 innings.  The start of the game was delayed by rain for almost one hour.  Game 2 in the Best of 3 series is set for Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. at Port Arthur Stadium. 

ZEHR, STANLEY POST SEASON ALL STARS 

The strong bullpen work of lefthander Dan Zehr and Cats closer Jimmy Stanley earned them spots on the Northwoods League Post Season All Star Team.  Zehr (Northeastern) had another solid season in relief, going 4-0 in 23 games with two saves.  The Guelph, ON native captured the league's ERA title posting a 1.15 mark by allowing only seven earned runs in 55 innings of work.  He also recorded 46 strikeouts while walking only eight.  Stanley (Belmont) led the league in saves with 15.  The righthander from Lexington, KY appeared in 29 games compiling a 4-1 record with a 0.49 earned run average.  Stanley did not have enough innings to qualify for the league's ERA crown.  He allowed only two runs in 37 innings of work, striking out 45 batters and issuing only four walks. 

CATS CLINCH NORTH TITLE

The Border Cats claimed the second half North Division title Sunday night, dumping the Duluth Huskies 7-2 before a season high crowd of 1,545 at Port Arthur Stadium. Thunder Bay's win combined with Alexandria's 7-3 loss to St. Cloud clinched the post season berth.  The Cats will meet the Mankato MoonDogs in the best of three North Division Final.  It's the third time in four years that the Border Cats have reached the Northwoods League playoffs.  Monmouth's Kyle Breese got the win against the Duluth, improving his record to 4-3.  Breese pitched six innings, allowing six hits and two runs (one earned), with no walks and three strikeouts.  Dan Zehr (Northeastern), Ryan Terry (Monmouth), and Jimmy Stanley (Belmont) combined for three scoreless innings as the Cats improved their second half record to 22-11 and 41-26 overall. Nate Woods (Belmont) belted a long home run over the left field scoreboard, his 4th of the season.  Woods had a 3-4 on the night at the plate.  Josh Ashenbrenner (Lewis-Clark State) and Chris Curley (Campbellsville) both went 3-5 as the Cats banged out 16 hits.  The Cats close out the regular season Monday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Huskies.  It's Fan Appreciation Night as there will be plenty of prizes and giveaways.  It's also Dollar Hot Dog night presented by Maple Leaf Foods and Holsum Bakery.  As well, the first 250 fans will receive a 2008 Border Cats Team Photo courtesy of Citi Centre Print and James Mirabelli Photography.   

PALINCSAR TO SIGN WITH CLEVELAND

The Border Cats are pleased to announce that outfielder/designated hitter Tim Palincsar has agreed to a professional contract with the Cleveland Indians.  Palincsar (Texas-San Antonio) was selected by Cleveland in the 40th round of the Major League first year player draft this past June.  In 55 games with the Cats, Palincsar batted .284 with three home runs and a team leading 43 runs batted in.  He also led the Cats with a .453 slugging percentage.  The Cats have also announced that outfielder Alex Kubal (foot) and pitcher Bryam Garcia (shoulder) will miss the remainder of the season.  Kubal (Alabama) played in 44 games, batting .274 with 19 runs batted in and 16 stolen bases which ranked second on the team.  Garcia (Florida International) appeared in three games in relief, going 0-0 with a 5.40 earned run average. 

FOUR CATS HEADED TO ALL STAR GAME

Four members of the Thunder Bay Border Cats were named to the North Division team for the 2008 NWL All Star Game Monday, July 14th, in Madison, WI.  Outfielder Mike O'Neill (USC), and three players from Belmont, first baseman Derek Wiley along with pitchers Nate Woods, and Jimmy Stanley will all represent Thunder Bay in Madison.  O'Neill is batting .295 with 15 runs batted in, and leads the Cats in runs scored with 27.  Wiley is among the league leaders in several offensive categories, hitting .328 with four home runs and 27 runs batted in.  Woods has made six starts, posting a 2-1 record with a 1.36 earned run average.  Stanley is tied for the league lead with seven saves in 15 appearences.  The righthander is 2-1 with a 0.93 earned run average.  The Border Cats will host the 2009 NWL All Star Game next July at Port Arthur Stadium.

HARDY SIGNS WITH KANSAS CITY

The Border Cats would like to congratulate pitcher Blaine Hardy as he has signed a professional contract with the Kansas City Royals.  Hardy, who was selected in the 22nd round (655th) overall in the MLB First Year Player Draft last week, made one start for the Border Cats.  The lefthander from Lewis-Clark State, threw seven shutout innings, allowing six hits with no walks and one strikeout, in picking up the win in a 5-0 victory over Rochester last Saturday.   

CATS SELECTED IN 2008 MLB DRAFT

Four current members of the 2008 Border Cats roster were selected in the MLB First Year Player Draft.  Lefthander Blaine Hardy (Lewis-Clark State) was taken in the 22nd round, 655th overall by the Kansas City Royals.  Outfielder Tim Palincsar (Texas-San Antonio) was selected in the 40th round,1,221st overall by the Cleveland Indians.  Righthander Brett Holland (Texas-Tyler) was chosen in round 48, 1,435th overall by the Oakland Athletics.  The A's also selected first baseman Derek Wiley (Belmont) in the 50th round, 1,489th overall.  Two former Thunder Bay players were also selected.  Outfielder Marcus Jones who played with the Cats in 2006 was taken in the 11th round, 331st overall by the Washington Nationals.  Outfielder Carlo Testa (Belmont) was chosen in the 18th round, 535th overall by Kansas City.  Testa was a pitcher/outfielder with the Cats last season.

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