In another wet morning, the Hounds sailed from the first inning and sealed the series in five innings for an 18-4 trouncing of the White Sox at ComEd field.

Nick Albanese got the nod and provided 4 innings of work, holding the Sox to 4 runs (2 earned) and keeping them out of the game. Mike DiCola provided relief, securing the 12-run-rule victory.

Offensively, Albanese helped himself, tallying 4 total bases and 2 RBIs. But, the Hounds offense was definitively led by Matt “Daddy” Burch who reached by hit on each of his five trips to the plate, his 5 RBIs enough to defeat the Sox on his own (not to mention his 3 runs).

Defensively, the Hounds tightened it up, committing only one error on 24 total chances. Highlights included a ranging steal of a centerfield liner by Brandon Jessee for out 2 and a sliding-in-the rain nab by Joe Malafronte (2B) for out 3 to end the first and strand 2, setting the tone for the day.

The weather treated the Doggo fans to even more wetness, but in exchange for their resilience, they were rewarded with a stress-free offensive display by their team. The Hounds celebrated with a visit to the lunch counter at Pompeii. In round 2, they face a rematch against the 2022 runner-up Electrons. The series starts Saturday morning at Winnemac.