Author: Tony

Comeback Falls Short in Opener

The 2024 Hounds suffered their first loss on the season, dropping the season opener to the Rebels (previously known as the Vikings) in Skokie. Although the Hounds mounted a game-tying comeback in the bottom of the seventh, they were overpowered in the 8th and a late comeback fell short by one run for a final of score of 9-8.

Japheth “I Pitch” Bandi seized the opening day starter position and earned it Saturday morning, surrendering no earned runs over 5 innings pitched. Despite a few long innings, the lefty ultimate stranded 7 Rebels runners and struck out 5, protecting his goose-egg.

Lehman (RF, P) struck first in the second inning, knocking in Samuel Ortiz (EH, 3B) who led off the inning reaching on error. The pair would later combine for two more runs on Jules Cantor’s right field single in the fourth inning, extending the Hounds lead to 3-0. The Rebels got on the board finally in the 6th, converting a pair of singles and an reached-on-error into a run on a RBI ground out then tackingn on another with a bases loaded walk. Relief pitcher, Arron Kruse would stem the bleeding, firing a strikeout and nabbing a head-seeking, feet-sweeping, bases-loaded line drive. 

The Rebels tacked on two more near the end of regulation to put them up 4-3, but the reliever helped himself with an RBI liner to send it to extras. However, the opponents nickel and dimed their way to an 8th-inning five spot. The Doggos did not lay down in their half, nipping 4 singles and plating the winning run with the tying run on second. But, a well struck liner by Cole Thompson (CF) did not find ground and the comeback ended one run short.

And with that the Hounds’ undefeated season was broken. A contingent made it over to the Green Avocado for delayed lunch. The next game takes place Monday against the Marlins for a CMBA-first (of many) game at Baseball Alley.

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