The Hounds had hoped to start 2-0, but it would not come to pass on a beautiful mother’s day at Taft High School.  Manager Matthew Steffens’ mom had attended the cold game on Saturday, but missed the warm one on Sunday, no other mom’s were in attendance at either contest (as far as I can remember), although there were some wives and girlfriends in attendance at both.

Matt Burch pitched a complete game v. the Vikings, taking a hard luck loss.  Burch struck out 5, walked 4, gave up 7 hits (only 1 of the extra base variety, a double), and 2 runners reached by error.  The Vikings took a 1-run lead in the 3rd, added a run in the second, but then the Hounds took a 1-run lead by scoring 3 in the 5th off a series of Viking errors.  Keith Richardson (#17, 1B) singled, Joe Wietecha (#19, 3B) followed with a single, and then Max Kiefer (#21, LF), Kyle Hanson (#2, 2B), and Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) all reached by errors, scoring 3 to take the lead.
The Hounds added a run in the 7th as Kiefer led off with a double, and Steffens singled him home, and the Hounds went into the bottom of the 7th with a 1 run lead (the Vikings had scored an unearned run in the 6th).  Unfortunately the Hounds could not hold the lead as the Vikings took advantage of a slightly gassed Burch (the Hounds probably needed a closer at this game) and the Vikings scored 2 to win the game with a walkoff single.
McDonald’s count = still 0.
Overall, a good weekend start and the Hounds regulars and rookies all contributed.  TJ Rinaldi (#1, CF) tracked down everything in center (which was not easy on the windy Saturday game) and Nolan Bielinski (#4, EH/C) got off the early snide in game 2 and overcame his arm injury to catch).  Wietecha really flashed the leather in both games.  Lots of positives.
The Hounds play the Vikings again next Saturday (9:30 am at Taft) and then play the Orioles at Winnemac on Sunday (12:15 start), hope to see you there!