With Laura Burch watching, the Hounds nabbed a brisk win against the first place Rebels, needing only one hit and one run.

The Hounds’ starter, Atticus Conway, offered very little to the Rebels’ offense, keeping the league leaders scoreless over 6 innings. The lanky right hander notched 6 strikeouts and recorded only 1 walk.

The Rebs did connect for six hits, but thanks to Atty and an improving Doggo defense, all 8 base runners runners were stranded. In fact, only a single opposing runner reached third base, following a first and second fielder’s choice in the third inning. This runner would immediately be stranded when center fielder Tim Riggenbach revoked a home run from the three hitter, the batter caught surprised as he admired his fly-out.

The Hounds manufactured their run in the fourth. Arron Kruse reached on a line drive that refused to be fielded by the second basemen. He then advanced to second on a wild pitch, and batter Riggenbach laid down a picture perfect “sacrifice” bunt in the grass, on a close, controversial call at first base. Nonetheless, he moved the runner one space away from scoring. Burch kept things moving on a unfieldable infield pop-up, and Sammy Ortiz knocked in the decisive run on an RBI fielder’s choice. In the fifth, Rondon notched the only hit on the day, a “flash” double to left field

Rookie Della Romano took over pitching duties in the seventh for the Hounds. She induced three ground balls, two for outs, the latter of which a pitcher-fielding nabbing of the lead runner. With the tying run at second and the go-ahead at first, the reliever fired a perplexing 3-2 middle-middle fastball for a swing-and-miss strikeout, ending the game.

With the victory, they improved to 3-3 and inched to second place. Thanks to the game’s 1 hour and 30 minute duration, players and fans were able to enjoy a few tobos de cerveza at the Hideout, down the alley from the park. They’ll be back at it again Saturday morning against the Marlins.