The Hounds, entering the night with a 3-game win streak, took on the second place White Sox under the lights at ComEd field. By the time the umpire abdicated the field, the Doggo’s win streak was stalled, but an undefeated streak remained as the final score was knotted at 4 apiece thanks to a big inning and excellent pitching performances.

Familiar face Colin “College Graduate” French (P) took the ball for the start. The sophomore worked briskly and methodically, claiming 9 strike out victims and holding a potent offense to only 4 runs, thanks in part to a new mental approach.

The Mutts answered a 2-run top of the first with a bottom of the first wood bat dinger by part-time Mighty Biscuit Garrett Eddy (CF/P), making his first appearance in 2022. Picking up in the second, skipper Tony Correa (C) tacked on an RBI with his first hit of the year, knocking in Phil Zelenka (RF). The Hounds nearly broke it open in the inning when Pedro Rondón (SS) scalded a ball to center for an RBI double and Atticus Conway (2B)  scored a run with a ROE. Unfortunately, the rally was cut short on a strange batter interference call during a smart attempt to seize home on a passed ball by Rondón. After scrambling and grabbing the passed ball the Sox catcher desperately flung the ball towards the plate, hitting a Hounds batter. The umpire ruled interference and called the runner out, negating the run and ending the inning.

The Sox would nibble a run apiece in the 3rd and 5th. Coming in relief was the other hard-throwing southpaw, Garrett Eddy, who contributed two lights out innings to keep the game winnable. Both teams were warned by the umpire going into the final inning, that he would not work into extra inning. Undeterred, Alberto Martinez (1B) stepped up to the plate to lead things off the bottom of the final inning. The first baseman then crushed a long ball to deep centerfield, rolling for ground-rule triple. Arron Kruse (EH) immediately followed with a fly ball to center field, but it was not quite far enough to secure the SAC. The remaining batters just couldn’t manage to bring him home either and the night ended in a tie, but not before Brandon Jessee (LF) absorbed a fastball for a painful (and meaningless) HBP.

So, the Hounds take a point for standings from the game against the second place White Sox. They were cheered on by new-to-the-team fans Emma (+Namaste and Ian), Amy (+ pup Lucy), of Atticus and Steve Szymanski (CF), along with mainstays Melanie, Susie, and Anne, who may start coordinating pants in the future.

After a few days off, season play continues on Sunday when the Doggos look for revenge against the Blazers on Sunday morning at Winnemac Park.