Like a greased up pig, Hounds starting pitcher Mike DiCola wriggled out of inning after inning, stifling the Dodgers scoring attempts and securing a bottom of the last inning win on a final score of 2-1 in a playoff atmosphere down at Simeon High School Wednesday night.

DiCola stranded 7 batters, including 3 at third base, aided by the efforts of a sterling defensive performance by the Hounds, notably Samuel Ortiz (SS) who hoovered up 9/9 fielding chances (3 of which were double plays).

The Doggos threatened to break the null game in the fourth, starting with a lead-off single by Sells (C). Two outs and a walk later, Japheth Bandi singled to right field, but a coaching/running miscue lead to some stretching and a good throw from right secured an out at the plate. A pair of doubles in the top of the fifth gave the Dodgers their sole run. The Hounds wasted an opportunity in the fifth, stranding Frontzak (3B) at third. In the sixth, One of the aforementioned Ortiz double plays (6-4 liner) saved DiCola at the end of his day, and in the seventh another of the aforementioned double plays (by way of Rondon (2B) and Hetrick (1B)) saved reliever Jules Cantor at the start of his day. The relief man keep the Dodger’s advantage to 1 heading into the last frame.

Malafronte started the inning with a walk, and advanced to third on a clutch oppo double by Bandi, a Zelenka (CF) intentional walk loaded the bases. A Frontzak fielder’s choice brought Malafronte home to tie the game. Ortiz was intentionally walked to again load the bases. The game rested with Jules Cantor, who fought his way through 7 pitches reaching the maximum count. Staring down 3-2 with 2 outs and the bases loaded, Cantor watched the 8th pitch miss the zone, earning the RBI walk to walk-off the game.

The Hounds, joined by new WAG Coleen (accompanying DiCola), enjoyed a bit of Rainbow Cone postgame. They will continue their end-of-season sprint on Thursday where they will finally play the Electrons at Winnemac.