The Chicago Hounds lost game 1 of the 3 game wild-card playoff series v. the Marlins at Southwest Park in Park Ridge today, by a score of 4-3. The Hounds were leading 3-2 going into the bottom of the final frame, but a base on balls and 3 infield errors led to a disappointing walk-off error win for the Marlins.
Tim Riggenbach (#8, P), the Hounds 2016 Cy Young candidate, was masterful on the mound, and he (and the Hounds) should have gotten the win. Until the last inning Riggenbach had only allowed 2 runs, and those were the only 2 earned Marlin runs of the game. Riggenbach struck out 5 fish and only walked 2 batters, giving up 5 hits.
The Hounds had 10 hits on the day, but only managed 3 runs, as they stranded runners in nearly every inning, striking out 6 times with runners on base. Keith Richardson (#17, 1B) had three hits on the day, including a double, and scored a run. TJ Rinaldi (#1, CF) was hit by a pitch on his elbow guard, and also scored. Kurt Kerrigan (#12, EH) singled and scored. Mike Marra (#15, LF) drove in 2 runs in the 6th with a single. Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) had three singles on the day, and drove in a run. Riggenbach also singled, and was robbed on a ball hit deep to right that dropped in fair territory, but was inexplicably called foul (despite the well-chalked SW Park field). Brent Schoenbach (#7, 3B) reached by a walk and Tony Correa (#13, 2B) singled.
The Hounds look to even the CMBA opening round series tomorrow morning at 10 am at Winnemac Park. As this is a best-of-three affair, the Hounds must win tomorrow to force game 3 on Tuesday at 5:30 pm at SW Park.