Coming into the penultimate weekend of the regular season, the Hounds were looking to solidify their position at the top of the standings. In the opposing dugout was SCN, a cellar dwelling club with little left to play for but pride. After a brief weather-related delay, it was time to play ball...
Game 1
For the opener, George took the mound and asserted himself right from the start. The spinner was working and the control was also there. Defensively we were tight, and didn't allow SCN any extra outs or bases. On offense, we scored early and often. Dave and Amelia went 3 for 3 in the third and fourth spots respectively. Amelia had 5 RBIs in the game. Jason C. hit his third home run of the season, a solo shot. It all added up to a mercy victory in the 4th inning. Final Score: Hounds 11, SCN 1.
Game 2
This would prove to be the more exciting of the two games, perhaps our most exciting of the season. We came in with a lot of swagger after having mercied them, but our play was not up to par. Our bats fell silent for long periods and we weren't as tight on 'D' as in the first game. Let's give SCN credit though, they played us very tough. This was clearly their championship game. We exchanged runs before they strung together some solid hits and took a 6-5 lead into the top of the 6th. We were down to our last out of the game with no runners on when we suddenly staged a miraculous rally. Wink, Kari, and Jason all managed to get on base, albeit on bloops. Push was now up with the bases loaded and two outs. She came through with one of the most clutch hits of the year, a clean single to left that scored the tying run. Then our pitcher Prashant laced a fly ball to left that gave their outfielder all kinds of problems. It fell in for a 3 RBI triple and it looked like we were on our way to victory.
George came into the game in relief, and this time, his control was not as sharp as in game one. He walked a couple, they scored a run, and the winning run was now at the plate with two outs. Luckily, their hitter hit a fly ball to left that was handled easily by Jason C. It was a real nail-biter. Final Score: Hounds 8, SCN 6.
11 and 1. I repeat ,11 and 1. It will all be for nothing though unless we keep playing good ball. We have been having some shaky moments the past few weeks. Let's come out next week with the goal of putting in two solid performances.
