The Chicago Hounds lost 8-0 to the Aviators today on an absolutely gorgeous day at Winnemac Park. The Hounds are now 14-9 and look to start a winning streak against the Orioles on Tuesday at Winnemac.
The Hounds only had 4 hits today: singles from Mike Marra (#15, EH), Matthew Steffens (#5, SS, P), Brent Schoenbach (#5, 3B), and Stephen Correa Jr. (#20, 1B) were it for hitting. Max Kiefer (#21, LF) and Tim Riggenbach (#8, P) also walked.
That is it for offense, 6 guys on base. Can’t win with that. Tim Riggenbach was solid to start despite giving up 6 runs, Matt Burch (#6, P) pitched a quality inning on 0 days rest, and Steffens made his first appearance of the year on the hill, giving up no runs over 2 innings.
The Hounds had some nice defensive plays–Riggenbach picked off a runner by himself (running him down and tagging him between third and home), Nolan Bielinski (#4, C) threw out a would-be basestealer at third in the first, and Garrett Eddy (#22, RF) threw out 2 runners from right field. Brent Schoenbach (#7, 3B), Kurt Kerrigan (#12, 2B), and Correa Jr. also combined for a 5-4-3 inning ending double play in the 3rd.
The Hounds then worked the field at Winnemac (batter’s box and mound) for 2 hours after the game) and then finished the afternoon at K’s Dugout. I truly love these guys.

The Chicago Hounds lost a close one today, dropping the game 5-4 to the Aviators on a beautiful day at Winnemac Park. The Hounds gave up 5 runs in the first 3 innings, all 5 were via the walk (4 were walked in with the bases loaded in the 2nd, the fifth run walked to start the next inning). Mike Marra (#15, P) relieved Matt Burch (#6, P/1B) in the tough second inning, and Marra pitched a fine 4.1 innings the rest of the way.
The Hounds came crawling back after being down 5-0, scoring 2 in the 5th and 2 in the 6th, but just did not score enough to win. The Hounds have lost 8 games this year, and in each and every loss they scored 5 or fewer runs. So the Hounds look to get at least 6 tomorrow to beat the Aviators for the first time this season.
The Hounds threatened in the first when Nolan Bielinski (#4, C) walked and stole second, but 3 Hounds failed to hit him in. The Hounds threatened again in the 3rd. Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) walked and Bielinski singled. Tim Riggenbach (#8, RF) reached on a fielder’s choice, and then Brent Schoenbach (#7, 3B) loaded the bases with a walk. But the Hounds failed to score again. The Hounds finally touched home plate in the 5th, scoring 2 runs after the first 2 batters were retired to start the frame. With 2 outs Steffens singled, Bielinski singled, and both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Riggenbach then doubled, driving in 2 runs.
The Hounds scored 2 more in the 6th–TJ Rinaldi (#1, CF) doubled, and Kurt Kerrigan (#12, 2B) placed a flypop in no man’s land between first, second, and right field. Max Kiefer (#21, LF) then singled, driving in 2 runs.
But that was all the Hounds could muster, and they went 1-2-3 in the 7th inning to lose 5-4.
The Hounds defense was solid today, Stephen Correa Jr. (#20, 1B) threw a guy out at the plate from his knees, the Hounds turned a lineout double play from Schoenbach to Correa Jr. in the first, and the Hounds recorded no errors. But too many walks for the Aviators, and just not enough scoring for the Hounds.
We play the Aviators again tomorrow at Winnemac at 9:30 am. The fans deserve a win and the team deserves a celebration at K’s Dugout after a victory.
Also, Tony Correa (#13, EH) looked into the possibility of the team camping out at Winnemac after the Friday night game and before the Saturday morning game, but the Winnemac supervisor said “absolutely not.”

The Chicago Hounds and Chicago Cubs both won 7-2 tonight, but while it took the MLB club 15 innings to secure the victory, the Hounds managed it in only 7, beating the Vikings decisively at Taft High School. The prior 2 contests v. the Vikings were close, both won in the bottom of the final inning, but today the Hounds dominated throughout. The Hounds are now 14-7, matching their win total from 2015 with 9 more games to go in the regular season.
Brian Hearns (#30, P/1B) ate up 6.2 valuable innings tonight, and should have had a shutout victory were it not for an ill-timed error by yours truly in the final frame. The Hearns is on vacation for the next few games, so he gave it all it had and the Hounds needed every bit of it.
The Hounds were a bit shorthanded tonight, as several regulars are hurt, 2-3 players are on the permanent disabled list, and some Hounds were simply unable to make this rainout reschedule, including TJ Rinaldi, who missed his first game of the year, and Nolan Bielinski, who missed only his 3rd. So we were pleased to have Keith Kerrigan (#10, CF) out for his second game as a Hound, and he played a fine outfield (including a great catch in the final inning) and walked twice.
Despite all of the missing players, the remaining Hounds–including a hurt Stephen Correa Jr., who showed up to be the 9th/10th, just in case we needed guys, and kept a great scorebook–were able to score enough to keep the Vikings at bay. Mike Marra (#15, RF) and Kurt Kerrigan (#12, 2B/P) both had triples in the game, Keith Richardson (#17, 1B/2B) was hit by a pitch, stole a base, scored, and was picked off by at least 5 feet (but ump Chris Loy missed the play). Marra was picked off first base as well (but his was actually a recorded out). So, the Hounds will have a baserunning clinic before the playoffs, probably taught by Professor Daddy Burch, as he leads by example. (Yes, that is at least a double pun.)
The Hounds defense was pretty solid despite the field conditions–as Brent Schoenbach (#7, 3B) called it prior to the game, the infield at Taft was playing like a parking lot with dust on it. The mound was awful, making Hearns’ 6.2 innings all the more remarkable. Tony Correa (#13, C) caught a fine game in Nolan’s absence, and Tony’s father (also named Tony Correa, but *not* a Sr., and our Tony is *not* a Jr.) is now 4-0 in attendance this year–clearly Tony’s dad needs to get to more games!
Max Kiefer (#21, LF) hit the ball hard today, Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) squeaked out an infield hit and stole third base when the pitcher inexplicably pitched from the lineup, but we had no pickles, no water from TJ, and the DJs were terrible as most innings were completely without music, and we had no Taylor Swift. All in all, a solid win, but we can clearly do better with the intangibles.
The Hounds have two games v. the 12-2-1 Aviators this weekend–both games are at 930 am, both games are at Winnemac. Hope to see you there!

The Chicago Hounds lost to the Electrons at Winnemac today a full MLB 9 innings. The Hounds played a great game and were tied through the complete CMBA 7 innings and then had 2 extra to play as the score was still tied at 3-3 after 7. Unfortunately the Electrons scored in the top of the 9th and the Hounds were unable to counter. Final was 7-3, but it was really much more like a 1-run loss.
Tim Riggenbach (#8, P) had a bevy of fans at the game celebrating his recent birthday, and they watched him throw a gem for 8 innings, only giving up 3 runs, 2 earned. He dominated the Electrons for the second time this season, and we hope to get a chance to face them again in the playoffs with Riggenbach on the mound again.
The Hounds scored 3 runs themselves, and 2 were on Electron errors. Keith Richardson (#17, RF) reached on an error in the first frame, was moved to 3rd by a single by Brent Schoenbach (#7, 3B), and then Mike Marra drove Richardson home with a sac fly. TJ Rinaldi (#1, CF) scored in the bottom of the 4th after reaching by error, then moving to second on a wild pitch. Matt Burch (#6, DH) singled and stole second, and then Brian Hearns (#30, 1B) drove in Rinaldi with a single. The only earned Hound run came in the 6th. Kurt Kerrigan (#12, 2B/P) reached on a fielder’s choice and Big Daddy Burch drove him home on a crushed double. The Hounds threatened in the bottom of the 8th, with the bases loaded with only 1 out, but the Electron pitcher struck out consecutive batters to prevent the Hound win.
The top of the 9th was won by Winnemac, as it ate up shortstop Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) who bobbled a possible double play, and then the very next batter hit another possible double play ball, and this one hit the Winnemac lip and bounced several feet over second baseman Tony Correa (#13, 2B) for a Winnemac hop “hit.” Winnemac had taken its toll on others this day, but Schoenbach made one of the most spectacular plays we have ever seen at third, as a ball bounced straight up at the last second at his head and he whirled his glove hand like Daniel-san in Karate Kid to make the play. Schoenbach and Kerrigan also turned a nifty 5-4-3 double play with Hearns to end the top of the 6th.
In any event, the Hounds had a few chances to win today, and it was an especially hard loss. But Annie’s sandwiches, beer, and Doritos made it a little less difficult for several Hounds who participated in a picnic after the game.
The Hounds are now 13-7, which is a great record after 20 games. With 10 to go the Hounds still have 20 wins in sight. To put it in perspective, last year the Hounds had 14 wins on the entire season, but still made the 2015 playoffs.
The Hounds next play on Tuesday 6/28 at Taft High School in a rainout makeup game v. the Vikings. The rest of the Hounds will need to hustle to tay and top Tim’s fan base.

The Chicago Hounds welcomed back veteran Vasont Miller (#2, CF) today after a season’s absence from moving to South Carolina. Vasont is in for the Phish concerts at Wrigley, so we wondered, where is Dan Braz, is he here for Phish too?
The Hounds bounced back from last night’s loss with a 15-3 drubbing of the Rangers at Winnemac via the slaughter rule (game ended after 6 innings). As you may recall Miller patrolled the Hounds outfield from 2009 through 2014, and he didn’t skip a beat today, subbing for TJ Rinaldi (#1, CF) in center, and Miller had a single, a walk, and a run scored. A fine return. The game was never in question as the Hounds dominated from the start, and we swept the season series from the Rangers 3-0. (But to be fair, the Rangers had a much better squad today than the last time, so it was an even more satisfying crushing).
Vasont will be there for tomorrow’s game as well, might we see Kevin Robinson too? Again, Dan Braz? Mike Kavelski? Brian Zumwinkel? Bueller?
Lots of offense for the Hounds today, but one of the big stories was Mike Marra (#15, P) eating up some valuable innings on the hill. Matt Burch (#6, P) started, but his arm was feeling dead and he pulled himself in the 3rd. Marra was expected to only pitch 1 or 2 innings, but he made it for 3.2 innings, completing the game into the final 6th inning of the slaughter shortened game. With a lot of baseball in few days, this is huge for the pitching staff, as both Tim Riggenbach (#8, LF) and Kurt Kerrigan (#12, DH) will be fresh for tomorrow’s contest against the Electrons.
We play the 12-3-1 Trons in our 3rd and final contest at 12:15 pm at Winnemac tomorrow to decide the season series, be there or be square, we will have pickles, music, and of course, Hounds baseball.

we lost 18-4 to the aviators tonight. it was bad. spectacularly so.
so tony correa, brent schoenbach, and matthew steffens went to our sponsor bar k’s dugout after the game. apparently the team that loses together doesn’t drink together, as there were just 3 of us.
k’s was serving free beer tonight. no joke. the beer was free. no charge. gratis. free.
and they had a raffle for free white sox tickets.
but we couldn’t even win that.
who did?
guess?
the guzzler from the electrons. no joke.
we play again tomorrow v. the rangers at 930 am, we promise to all of our fans that tomorrow’s game will be better.

The Chicago Hounds echoed The 1984 classic baseball movie The Natural ( www.imdb.com/title/tt0087781/) and Gabby Harnett’s homer in the gloamin (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homer_in_the_Gloamin%27) last night, defeating the Vikings 6-5 at Taft High School in most dramatic fashion.
Brian Hearns (#30, P) and the Kerrigan Brothers (Kurt, #12, and Keith, #10) combined on the Hounds win on the hill. The Hounds have waited 10 years for Keith to be old enough to play in the 18 and over league, and he threw 2 scoreless innings, bridging between Hearns and his brother Kurt.
The Hounds were winning 5-3 going into the top of the 7th inning, when the forecasted storm of the century began to roll in. The lightning started from a distance, but despite complaints from the Hounds, neither the umpire nor the Vikings wanted to end the game early. The Vikings ended up scoring 2 runs in the 7th to tie the game, with Kurt striking out the side to end the chance of the Vikings taking a lead. The sky got darker, and the lightning got closer.
By CMBA league rule, if the game is called for weather or darkness, it goes back to the prior full inning. The Hounds argued that the game should be called, but the Vikings wanted the tie, and the umpire was unwilling to stop it and award the Hounds a 6 inning 5-3 win. So the Hounds went to bat in the bottom of the 9th with the score tied 5-5. A tie = 1 point, but a win would = 2 points, and more importantly for the Hounds, redemption for the walk-off loss to the lowly 3-10 Vikings earlier in the season.
Whether it would help or not, the Hounds all decided to take wood bats to the plate instead of metal. Max Kiefer (#21, DH) reached by error to start the bottom of the 7th and final frame. Stephen Correa Jr. (#20, 2B) was a late sub for an injured Kyle Hanson (#2, 2B), and Correa Jr. reached on a fielder’s choice. Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) then also reached on a fielder’s choice, so the Hounds were down to their last out, with a runner on first. And a runner who was suffering from 2 tweaky hamstrings.
Up strolled the Hounds 2015 MVP, Nolan Bielinski (#4, C). Bielinski has been on an extra base tear lately, with 2 home runs and 3 triples. Bielinksi was quickly down to his last strike, and then the rain started. It was so dark it was getting nearly impossible to see the ball, but Bielinski then fouled off 2 more pitches as the rain, thunder, and lightning all worsened.
And then, like Robert Redford, like Gabby Harnett, Bielinski launched a ball to the fenceless left field. Where exactly? No one knows, but Steffens rounded the bases to score the winning run (the whole time thinking, hamstrings, please don’t tear!). It could have/should have/would have been a homerun for Bielinski, but his run does not count as the game ended with the go ahead run, but no matter, the Hounds won again! It was spectacular.
The Hounds also were helped by a diving catch by Tim Riggenbach (#8, RF), Bielinski also had 2 assists on baserunners, Mike Marra (#15, LF) had a key RBI, and Keith Richardson (#17, 1B) had a triple and scored.
But mostly what will be remembered is Nolan’s “homer” in the gloamin.
Just awesome. And the Hounds are now 12-5.
The Hounds are at it again tomorrow v. the Aviators at Winnemac Park.

On a very toasty 90+ degree Father’s Day at Taft High School, the Chicago Hounds defeated the Red Sox 12-7 to improve to 11-5 on the year. Proud new papas Kyle Hanson (#2, EH) and Kurt Kerrigan (#12, DH/P) celebrated the day with a win, and the Hounds got to meet Kurt’s daughter who is only a little over 2 weeks old. The Hounds defeated the Red Sox in all 3 contests this season, sweeping the season series. The Red Sox are a much better team than year’s past, they are now 5-8-1 on the year (.500 other than playing the Hounds).
The Hounds pounded out the hits today, and not just Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off (although they did use it as inspiration between innings), scoring 2 in the 3rd, 1 in the 4th, 2 in the 5th, and then exploding for 5 in the 6th. Extra bases were a plenty, as Kerrigan had a solo home run over the left fielder’s head, Nolan Bielinski (#4, C) cleared the bases with a grand slam home run, Brian Hearns (#30, 1B) crushed an RBI triple over the right fielder’s head, and Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) doubled to the gap, driving in 2 runs.
Matt Burch (#6, P) threw 4 innings, giving up 6 runs, only 4 were earned–Taft was playing fast and difficult today. Burch struck out 4 and got the Hounds to the bullpen in fine shape. Mike Marra (#15, LF/P/RF) threw a scoreless 5th inning for a poached win, and Kerrigan gave up 1 run in 2 innings to close out the game, giving up no runs in the 7th after Enter Sandman was played as he made his way to the mound.
Brent Schoenbach (#7, 3B) continued his weekend hit parade with 2 singles, a run, and an RBI, TJ Rinaldi (#1, CF) had an RBI single, Max Kiefer had 2 singles and scored a run, Stephen Correa Jr (#20, 2B) walked and scored, Tony Correa (Sr?, Jr?, his dad is named Tony, but not a doctor, and not a Jr, 2B) only saw one pitch and it hit him in the arm. Hanson singled and scored. Keith Richardson (#17, LF) singled, drove in a run, and scored. Hearns also had another single, scored twice, Steffens singled and scored twice, Marra singled, and Bielinski singled and scored twice.
Offensive explosion. 16 hits on the day.
The Hounds have always had great defense and pitching, but this year they also have the hitting. Thus, the 11-5 record just after the halfway point in the season.
The Hounds have 4 games in a 5 day span coming up–hope to see you there:
Vikings – Wed 6/22 – 5:50 pm – Taft HS Aviators – Fri 6/24 – 5:50 pm – Winnemac Rangers – Sat 6/25 – 9:30 am – Winnemac Electrons – Sun 6/26 – 12:15 pm – Winnemac

The Chicago Hounds defeated the Yankees 10-2 today at Winnemac Park on an abolutely gorgeous spring/summer day in Chicago. The Hounds arrived early to take batting practice, and it was effective, as the Hounds pounded out the hits today on an easy win.
Tim Riggenbach (#8, P) got yet another win on the mound as he loves mopping up bad teams in the CMBA. Riggenbach unfortunately took a ball straight to the strawberry on the mound, and was not wearing a cup, which is an occupational hazard in baseball, but he survived to get the win. Not even a fire chief could help him, nor pickle juice. Joe Wietecha (#19, EH/P), Brian Hearns (#30, P) and new papa Kurt Kerrigan (#12, DH/P) each pitched an inning for the Hound win.
But the MVP of the game was Max Kiefer (#21, DNP) whose bluetooth boombox was both an inspiration for the Hounds and an annoyance for O’Casey Poulus, the old 3b-man for the Yankees. Kiefer (with DJ Matt Burch) was pumping out the music starting with BP, but O from the Yankees was not McLovin’ it. He said “I just don’t like that rock ‘n roll music, I just enjoy the sounds of the game.” And so the Hounds played a great speech from Field of Dreams, but that didn’t help, so we played Footloose and that didn’t help, but then O’Casey said he preferred organ music, so the Hounds played various organ tunes from baseball games, and everyone loved it.
The Hounds scored 5 runs in the first and the game was really never in question after that. Keith Richardson (#17, 1B) singled, Garrett Eddy (#22, RF) singled, and Mike Marra (#15, LF) reached on an error by the Yankee shortstop, scoring Richardson. Brent Schoenbach (#7, 3B) singled for an RBI (driving in Eddy) and then TJ Rinaldi doubled, scoring Marra. After a walk by Wietecha, Kerrigan singled, driving in both Schoenbach and Rinaldi.
The Hounds scored 2 more in the 2nd, as Nolan Bielinski (#4, C) reached on another error by the Yankee SS, Eddy singled, and Schoenbach singled, driving in Bielinski. Eddy stole second, and scored on an errant throw by the catcher trying to throw out Schoenbach at second on a steal attempt. In the 3rd, Kerrigan scored after reaching on a fielder’s choice and Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) doubled him home. Eddy scored in the 4th after singling, stealing a base, and was running to third attempting another steal as Marra grounded out to third, but Eddy just kept running all the way home for a rare RBI by Marra with a ground out and runner on second. Bielinski scored in the 6th after he walked, Richardson singled, and Schoenbach drove him home with a single.
The Yankees only scored 2 in the 6th and never threatened, the Hounds simply controlled the game all the way through.
The Hounds play again tomorrow v. the Red Sox, 12:15 at Taft. See you there!

Sorry gang, I was too tired to do a writeup last night. 5 games in 7 days was quite a stretch. The Hounds won the first 3 contests, but dropped the last 2, including a 6-3 loss to the Electrons last night at Winnemac Park. The Hounds are now 9-5 on the year.
Keith Richardson (#17, P/1B) pitched 5 innings for the Hounds, singled twice, scored twice, and possibly got a concussion with a brutal collision with the second baseman from the Trons on a play at first base. Nolan Bielinski (#4, C) scored the only other run for the Hounds. Stephen Correa Jr. (#20, 2B), Tony Correa (#13, C/3B), and Brian Hearns (#30, 3B/1B) each drove in a run. Hearns also threw a perfect final inning for the visiting Hounds, 3 Electrons up, 3 Electrons down, and Tony Correa had his first legit Tony Smash double of the year.
The Hounds infield had quite a few plays today, with an unusually high number of putouts at the bag at the top of the diamond (second). Stephen Correa Jr. returned to the team from his trip to California with a great game at second base with 3 putouts at second (1 on a caught steal with the assist to Bielinski) and 5 assists (including two tough plays from the grass on slow rollers). Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) had 4 putouts at second and 3 assists (including 1 to Correa Jr. at second on a ball deep in the hole, fooling Chris Reehoff the runner who thought it was going to get through), and Correa Jr. and Steffens combined with Matt Burch (#6, 1B/EH) for an inning ending 6-4-3 double play. Richardson also stabbed a couple tough shots back at the mound for assists.
But the Hounds were tired, sore, and relatively shorthanded today. Matt Hansen (#26, RF) made an appearance in right field for the first out of the game allowing the Hounds to preserve the spot for Tim Riggenbach (#8, RF) who was hustling to the game from the train. Hansen played despite multiple pro wrestling injuries (he later was hugging a tree because it was the only way he could feel semi-comfortable with the pain). Hearns played third base for the first time as a Hound in the first inning (and in warmups showed he has the strongest arm of any third baseman the Hounds have ever had), and Burch played first base for that initial inning despite a throwing arm that was basically unusable post pitching on Sunday.
It is clear that the Hounds need their three days of rest to recover before getting back to it this weekend.
Weekend games: Saturday 6/18 – Yankees – 9:30 am – Winnemac Sunday 6/19 – Red Sox – 12:15 pm – Taft HS