The Chicago Hounds defeated the Winnemac Cubs 10-7 and 17-6 in a doubleheader at Winnemac today, with temperatures of 100+ degrees all day. The umpire in the first game passed out and luckily some of the Hounds are trained as EMTs and they came to his aid as the paramedics were on their way. Thanks in particular to Alex Mora (#16) who was not scheduled to be at the game but showed up just at the right time–he and Captain Puerto Rico Stephen Correa Jr (#20) and TJ Rinaldi helped Carlos the ump as Matt Burch (#6) called 911 for his second time at Winnemac Park.

Burch led the Hounds offense–seems like he had an extra base hit every time up. Max Kiefer (#21) crushed the ball as well today, but also tweaked his hamstring. John Lundgren (#34) played two solid games at short. Tony
Correa (#13) continued to hit and drive in runs from the top of the order. Jonathan Garcia (#27, #10, even though he is #35) got into the act offensively as well, while playing a quality third and second base. Matthew Steffens (#5) had a couple hits and drove in a few runs, and pitched all 13 innings for both wins. Mike DiCola (#28) had important news.

Tony’s dad (Anthony) umped the rest of Game 1 after Carlos was taken to the hospital in the 5th inning, and Anthony called the entire second game as well–he called a fair game but also kept giving the Hounds pitcher advice (he was calling the game from behind the mound). He also encouraged a speedy end by calling all close plays outs, stating clearly, “Let’s get this game over, I have some beers to drink.” Tony’s parents brought everyone sandwich fixings, feeding the entire team, many fans (our best showing of the year), several members of the Cubs, and then they brought the eats to K’s Dugout where we ate again (and even some inebriated
Electrons had a bite or two as well).

 

The Hounds are now 9-5 and in second place in our division, and play the 11-4 Browns at Proviso West tomorrow at 11:45 am. Hopefully it won’t be as hot in terms of temperature, but the Hounds do hope to continue their hot winning streak, having now won 5 in a row.

See you there!

The Chicago Hounds said goodbye to #30 Brian Hearns today. Hearns is moving to Texas with his family and will be a football and baseball coach and teacher at a Friday Night Lights style school in Houston.

Hearns pitched 7 innings today against an overmatched Cubs team, literally throwing fastballs for every single pitch. The Hounds won 11-0, strategically not scoring too many runs so that Hearns could keep pitching a full game.

Brian joined the team in 2009, the 3rd season of the Hounds, and has been a staple for 10 full years. He will be missed. And honestly, he will be missed more than most.

We wish him the absolute best and hope to see him again soon.

“Brian joined the team in 2009, the 3rd season of the Hounds, and has been a staple for 10 full years. He will be missed. And honestly, he will be missed more than most.” Thank you, Brian Hearns #30. Good luck in Texas! #endofanera

A post shared by Chicago Hounds (@chicagohounds) on Jun 29, 2018 at 6:47am PDT

The Chicago Hounds lost bigly to the Orioles today, I am not sure of the score but it was lopsided. Former Hound Jacob (Jake the Snake) Tedlund was a one-man wrecking crew for the Orioles, getting the win on the mound, and hitting a 2-run home run to left, and a grand slam to right.

Thrill of victory, agony of defeat? Win some, you lose some? Lots of sayings to use here, but I think the “anonymous” report from Tony’s dad says it all (see below).

THE REVENGE GAME
Jake the Snake dominates the Hounds !
Game re-cap by : Anonymous reporter

Are you kidding me ? Although this reporter did not watch the game in person. I have just finished watching the game video for the 3rd. time. I would like to ask the Hounds front office where would they rank the pre-season cutting of pitcher /power hitting phenom Jake the Snake among the blunder list below ? Jake the Snake has been referred to as the CMBA version of Japan’s super star Shohei Ohtani.

Michael Jordon cut from his high school basketball team!
Mark Buehrle cut from his high school baseball team!
Oral Hershiser cut from both his high school and college teams!
Landon Donovan cut from the USA soccer team. ( this one is for Tim and Mel ).

And finally probably the biggest blunder. Who could forget when Tommy Chong was cut from “That 70’s show”. This reporter also received an anonymous tip that manager Mathew Steffens was seen puking into the ball bucket somewhere around the 3rd. inning.

What a weekend. Back to back historic days for the Hounds. In conclusion, please join me in wishing a speedy recovery to manager Matthew Steffens who needed to go to the hospital to receive an IV to replenish all fluids he lost due to uncontrollable weeping after the game.

Peace

“tim, that huge loss was actually probably the best outcome, all things considered”

A post shared by Chicago Hounds (@chicagohounds) on May 27, 2018 at 10:57am PDT

The Chicago Hounds played their greatest game ever today, defeating the Aviators 5-4 at beautiful Winnemac Park on a walk-off grand slam. As Tony (not Jr.) Correa (#13, C) might say: “that was a good movie.”

TJ Rinaldi (#1, CF) was the offensive hero of the day, hitting his first career grand slam with 2 strikes and 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th inning. The bases were loaded with Hounds, the score was 4-1, and the Hounds were literally down to their last strike as Rinaldi crushed a hanging curveball nearly to Foster Avenue. The Hounds and fans went wild. Hans Hetrick (#18, EH) was so moved doing the scorebook that he didn’t even record the 4 runs.

Alex Garcia (#10, P) threw a solid 6 innings against the normally mighty Aviators, after having defeated them on Opening Day as well. Brian Hearns (#30, 1B/P) threw a scoreless 7th for the win. Alex G. also started the Hounds rally in the 7th with a walk, and had a single on the day as well.

Rinaldi scored the first run for the Hounds in the 4th, reaching base on a walk. Correa drove in Rinaldi with a ringing double (Correa had 2 smash hits on the day). The Hounds threatened in multiple innings, stranding 3 in the 3rd and also leaving the bases loaded in the 5th, and the Hounds defense was solid all day.

Finally in the 7th and final frame Garcia walked with one out, and then Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) singled with two outs. Matt Burch (#6, 3B/1B) walked to load the bases. And then Rinaldi worked his wood bat magic for the win.

Another celebration at K’s with more than 15 Hounds and fans ensued, with Anthony Correa (not Sr.) buying everyone drinks for the amazing win. Even Meghan Tallent-Bennis made an appearance.

hounds hero of the day! bottom of the 7th walk-off grand slam! #grandsalami #thisiswhatheroslooklike #walkoff #houndswin #eatmorepizza

A post shared by Chicago Hounds (@chicagohounds) on May 26, 2018 at 12:47pm PDT

 

The Hounds face the Orioles and Jake “The Snake” tomorrow morning at Walther Christian (formerly Lutheran, they are trying to expand their base) at 10:00 am. See you there!

The Chicago Hounds exacted revenge on the Yankees at Winnemac Park last night, defeating the Yankees 8-3.

Rookie Nick Schmidt (#23, P) had a fine Hounds debut on the hill, pitching 6 scoreless innings before giving up 3 in the final frame. Tim Riggenbach (#8, RF/P) cleaned things up in the final inning, securing the win. The game was never in doubt–it was a comfortable win.

The Hounds bench was packed at this makeup Wednesday game–15 Hounds made it into the field or lineup–and the Hounds had a strong showing from fans as well–a full 14 Hounds and fans made it to K’s after the win, including the first-ever sighting of Kurt Kerrigan (#12, LF) at the bar–it only took 12 years!

The Hounds offense was sparked by the bottom of the lineup as Tony “Smash” Correa (#13, C) and Matthew Steffens (#5, SS) each scored twice. Nelson Bowers (#48, DH) hat two hits on the day, including a double and run, and rookie Aiden French (#33, 3B) drove in two runs and scored as well. Riggenbach tripled, drove in 2, and scored (Riggenbach had 4 hits on the day). Matt Burch (#6, 1B) rounded out the Hounds scoring. TJ RInaldi (#1, CF) also drove in two runs with a double, and Rinaldi reached on a walk and, his favorite, a hit-by-pitch (HBP).

The Hounds defense was spectacular, with fine plays from French, Steffens, Burch, and Stephen Correa Jr. (#20, 2B) in the infield, and Kerrigan, Riggenbach, Mike DiCola (#28, LF), and Rinaldi tracking everything down in the dense outfield.

The Hounds are now 2-1 (or 2-1-4 if you count rainouts) on the young season, and they play two key games this weekend (Aviators at Winnemac at 12:15 pm on Saturday and the Orioles at 10:00 am at Walther). The Hounds have a tough May schedule, as their first 5 games are against 2017 playoff teams, so a winning May record would be an outstanding start.

The following write up was done by Matt Burch (1B, #6) and is (mostly) unedited:

Saturday, May 5th, the Hounds tangled with the Aviators to begin their 2018 campaign. The time was noon [ed. note: it was 1 pm]; the place was Winnemac.

On the defensive side: 2nd year player (and, 2018 co-Hounds cy Yong Award winner) Alex Garcia–who graduates college tomorrow–mounted the hill for the Hounds, picking up the win, and allowing one run and 3 hits through 5 strong innings. Rookie Nick Schmidt accumulated an impressive 5 putouts in Left Field – makin’ it look easy out there.

Fan-favorite Tim Riggenbach picked up his first save of the year, as well as a first inning assist in Right Field. Also impressively, the Hounds issued no walks (but did hit two batters) on the day.

Offensively the Hounds were propelled by TJ Rinaldi‘s 2-run rocket home run in the bottom of the 6th, making the game 5-2. Other notables include (Catcher) Tony Correa, who hit a go-a-head, two-run single, in the bottom of the 5th, and Matt Burch (and maybe nelson??) who (each?) scored two runs on the day.

Overall it was a positive result for the Hounds, prevailing 5-2, and moving to 1-0 on the season. Keep an eye out for our next broadcast tomorrow morning, Sunday May 6, at 9:30am central on HoundsRadioAM.

 

Regards, Matt Burch

#houndswin #cmbaopeningweekend

A post shared by Chicago Hounds (@chicagohounds) on May 5, 2018 at 1:33pm PDT