9 Chicago Hounds defeated 6 Winnemac Electrons 8-7 today in a 5-inning dual-squad scrimmage at Winnemac Park. It was cold and windy, but it was a sunny and beautiful day at the shared home field of the Trons and Hounds.

The game would not have happened without the late night work of Scott “Guz” Schuster, Justin Milner, and Matthew Steffens, who took 10 buckets of water off of the field Friday night to make it playable for the Saturday morning game.

Superfans Laura Grieger, Erin, and Meghan Tallent-Bennis all made it out to the scrimmage, which was remarkable considering the 42 degrees start temperature.

Tony Correa (#13, C/1B) led the Hounds at the plate. Tony was hit by a pitch in the head by the second Tron hurler, but Tony exclaimed “it was only the brim” and refused to take first base as he wanted a chance to hit. On the very next “grooved” pitch he smashed a triple over the left fielder’s head.

Rookie Casey Peterson (#30, P, RF) pitched two solid innings, including striking out the side in his second frame. Nick Schmidt (#23, P, OF) and Matt Burch (#6, 1B, P, 2B, SS) also gave the Hounds strong innings on the hill.

Garrett Eddy (#22, CF, RF, 3B in warmups) had a fine day at the plate and also threw out Nick Ingram (#36, LF) trying to take first to third (Nick made it closer than expected). But Hans Hetrick (#18, C) challenged Eddy twice on a double to center and taking home from second and bested Eddy’s pro arm twice in a row. Hans was channeling his inner Evan Young by deciding to just keep running.

The Hounds next take on the Pirates at a scrimmage on Saturday April 20 at Maywood Park at 10:00 am. Opening day of the 2019 regular season for the Hounds is on May 5 at 9:30 am at Winnemac Park v. the Browns. Hope to see you there!