Hounds Trounce Trojans, Advance to Semi-final

Game Summary

The Hounds won their first playoff series since 2012 on Saturday, sweeping the Trojans in a doubleheader 15-3 and 18-5 at Winnemac Park thanks to an overwhelming offensive effort.

Numerous Hounds spectators turned up, including parents and siblings, grandparents, and friends, to watch the game in the beautiful summer weather. The Hounds rewarded their supporters with fireworks, tallying 37 hits on the day featuring “in-the-park” home runs by Garret Eddy (CF, #17) and Nick “Lil’ Tuna” Ingram (EH/LF, #36). Before Nick’s fateful at-bat, Matthew Steffens (2B, #5), manager emeritus and 2020 baseball prognosticator, turned to the current manger and issued “Nick is going to hit a bomb here for a home run”. The ensuing bomb drew a remarkably shocked expression from the manager, delighting his predecessor. The playoff series also heralded in the formidable group now known as the “Beefy Boys,” a tender and juicy part of the lineup that sizzled for 19 total bases and 14 RBIs: Max “Chief Beef” Kief’ (1B/DH, #99), Joe “Fancy Beef” Johnston (DH/1B, #20), TJ “Beef Supreme” Rinaldi (DH, #1), and Hans “Bottom Beef” Hetrick (2B/C, #18). Phil Oweimrin (PH/DH, #25) also joined the hit party, singling in both his at-bats on the day. The offensive buffet also included bunts for hits by Nick Schmidt (LF/P #23) and Tim Riggenbach (twice) (RF/P, #8). Defensive highlights featured a ranging backhand ground out across the diamond by Arron Kruse (1B, #11), a bases loaded 1-2-3 double play turned by Tony Correa (C, #13), and an in-front belly sliding catch by Riggenbach (the play was incorrectly ruled as not-caught).

Mike DiCola (#28) started and finished the first game, entering with an unmatched excitement and dealing a pearl, allowing only 2 earned runs and 1 walk in the slaughter-shortened 6 inning game. He aspires to one day pitch 7 innings in a single game. Nick Schmidt started game 2 and gave the Doggos 4 innings of quality work before relaying the ball to Tim Riggenbach who stitched things up in the final two innings to complete the sweep.

The Hounds will take on the Marlins next weekend in the semifinal round.

  • Game 1: Saturday 4:30 PM at Southwest Park
  • Game 2: Sunday 10:00 AM at Winnemac Park
  • Game 3*: Sunday 2:00 PM at Southwest Park