Despite a misting rain and a brief rain delay, the Hounds flew on the back of Nick Albanese’s three HR day, soaring to a win Saturday at Baseball Alley against the Blazers 18-8.

Jules Cantor demanded the start and gave 3 innings of commendable pitching, thanks in part to his new splitter. He finished his day never allowing an opponent lead and surrendering only one walk.

Albanese didn’t wait long to commence his onslaught, homering in his first at-bat, a towering blast off a right center field garage roof for a 2-0 advantage. The Hounds picked it up again in the 2nd when Matt “Manager Emeritus” Steffens whacked a double and was brought home on a Lehman single. Despite there being two outs, the offense kept the inning alive long enough to provide a bases-loaded opportunity for the burly left handed three hitter. Albanese delivered the salami with another homer to right field, opening the game to 7-0. The Blazers clawed within 2 in the bottom of the third, but the Doggo sluggers would not be outpaced as Albanese’s crushed another homer in his next at-bat, just far enough for everyone to forget about Matt Burch’s immediately preceding homer to left.

For his next trick, Nick played reliever and finished the game on the mound, keeping the game firmly of reach. Finally, a Hounds 8-spot in the sixth inning (which featured a measly Albanese double) and wet field field conditions culminated in the umpire declaring the now uncompetitive game over in the top of the seventh.

The Hounds’ next game takes place Thursday night against the White Sox.