The Hounds-Vikings contest Wednsday night at Maywood was close until it wasn’t, the Hounds capturing the win with a 9-run spot in the final inning of the day.

Gumby Schmidt (#23) started and completed for the doggos and, despite an uncooperative umpire, still managed to throw at a 71.8% strike clip and notch 5 Ks in the victory. The offense was lead by Tim Riggenbach (CF, #8) with line drive doubles to both sides of the outfield and totaling 3 hits and 4 RBIs. Rookie Thomas “Nickname Pending” Feazelle (SS, #82) broke out, tallying a trio of singles and 3 RBIs of his own. The BABIP gods also finally smiled on Joe Johnston (1B, #20) whose hard shots finally found gaps for a double and a single. A different, unidentified supernatural being also smiled upon Joe (perhaps in exchange for a soul) allowing the fancy first baseman to outright steal third base and then advance home on a wild pitch to swipe a run. Special shout out to Nick Ingram who went above and beyond on foul ball duty, going as far as ringing the doorbell of a Maywood neighbor to retrieve a ball that landed in their backyard.

All around, the Hounds demonstrated their now characteristic unflappability, never losing confidence despite two long, tough half-innings and being tied or behind for half the game. The Hounds are now in the final stretch of the season, with 4 games left to be played. They take on the Aviators at Winnemac on midday Saturday for Daddy Pizza Day.