On a picturesque, if not a bit dry, Sunday Winnemac morning, the Hounds cruised, then nosedived, then yanked the yoke to recover a turbulent 7-6 victory against the Vikings.
Atticus “Lord’s Day” Conway started and pitched well, allowing only 1 walk against 2 hits and no runs.
The Hounds set the tone in the first two innings. The first brought two sacrifice RBIs by Greg Sells (SS) which brought around a doubling Cole Thompson (LF) and a singling “Cap” Jessee (EH). The second provided two runs, the offense starting on a “Daddy” Burch (1B) outfield liner, brought around on a Malafronte (2B) double, and including a Tim Riggenbach (RF) line drive single brought around on a Correa (C) sac fly.
Nick “The Gummy Bear” Albanese got the nod for relief and contributed 2.1 innings of work, holding the Vikes to 3 hits and no earned runs. Although Garret “He’s Here, He’s There, He’s Every-fucking-where” Eddy gobbled up 5 putouts on 5 chances (including a diving save), defensive struggles continued to plague the Hounds, who committed 5 errors, 3 of which in the top of the last inning (also known as the worst possible time). The boot party culminated in a Vikings five-spot, enough to put them up 6-5 with bases juiced and 1 out. Reliever Eric Frontzak was able to stop the bleeding, firing 8 pitches for two strikeouts to end the inning.
However, in their offensive frame, the Doggos meticulously bailed the themselves out, starting with a pair of singles on the backs of Riggenbach and Malafronte. Pinch-hitter and 3 am texter Hans “There’s a very high probability I’m not gonna make it on time tomorrow” Hetrick moved them both over a space with a productive groundball out. An intentional walk loaded the bases, a passed ball and pinch runner Colin French unloaded the bases (for one run), and another intentional walk reloaded the bases. This brought to the box with the winning run on third, Samuel Ortiz (SS), wearing his freshly earned Hounds #20 jersey. The rookie stroked a liner to right field, the ball easily falling for a hit driving in the winning run. As he ran to first, he briefly turned towards his dugout for an celebratory exclamation, and his team mates responded by mobbing him in shallow right field.
The Hounds took their celebration to K’s. They will have a week off to recuperate and will take on the Marlins next Sunday at Southwest Park.