Zog: Hounds Keep the Streak & Clinch Playoff Spot

Roosevelt Island was the next stop for the Hounds as we looked to add to our 3-game winning streak. Game time was very early for a weekday evening, and half the battle was getting enough of our people there on time. Fortunately, the Hounds stepped up and we were able to have a full compliment of players. In the opposing dugout were the Masterbatters, a cellar-dwelling club with few prospects for the rest of the season. Perhaps we came in to the game a bit overconfident, as Masterbatters gave us much more of a fight than we expected.

Margaret got the ball for the Hounds and pitched yet another gem. No walks and only four runs allowed. We had a big two out rally led by the bottom of the order in the second inning, with Denise, Karim, and Mega all getting big hits. However, the Masterbatters pitcher did well to settle down and held our bats to a mere five runs over six innings. We kept playing our solid team defense and never relinquished the lead. 

Then, in the top of the seventh, the Hounds exploded for 7 runs, once again led by the bottom of the order and going all the way through. Margaret had a huge 2-run single. 5 home runs were hit in the game: George and Braden with solo shots, Dave and Jason each with 2-run jacks, and Mega with a 3-run bomb in that 2nd inning. In the bottom of the 7th, we closed them out with cruel efficiency. Final Score: Hounds 12, Masterbatters 4.

With that victory, we are 8 and 2 and have clinched a playoff spot. Our winning percentage is an outstanding .800, and there is no reason to not believe that we can win the whole thing this year.

Zog: Pictures From Game vs Kenny Show

Mad Props to Diana bringing the camera and taking these great shots.

Zog: Hounds Cancel The Kenny Show

Looking to secure their playoff destiny, the Hounds headed over to Riverbank Park where we have generally had much success. The quick turf field is conducive to our style of hitting and defense. Ahead of us lay Kenny Show, a team that is also battling to get in the playoffs. As the game was about to start, we realized they only had 8 players so we were eager to start the game and pound the ball.

As the away team, we were hitting first, and we were able to score 5 runs in the top of the first. Margaret took the mound and continued her recent run of dominance. She walked no one and forced their hitters to put the ball in play. Offensively, the standout was Mega in the cleanup spot, going 3 for 4 with 5 RBIs. Dave, George, and Braden also went 3 for 4. Jason hit our team's lone home run in the game, a solo shot.

On defense, we continued our excellent recent form and Kenny Show struggled to score. We shut them out for the first 3 innings and the result of the game was never really in doubt. They tacked on some runs in the later innings but it would not be enough, Final Score: Hounds 15, Kenny Show 7.

At 7 and 2 with only 3 games left, we have to like our playoff chances. Our focus should now be on getting one of the top two seeds and securing a first-round bye in the playoffs. Onward to glory, Hounds...

MAJA: Team Stats Through 6 Games

Just like that, our MAJA season is almost at the halfway point. Now would be a good time to check out the stats...

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MAJA: Hounds Split But Lose More Than a Game

Having won 4 in a row to start the season, The Hounds were looking to keep the magic going against an outfit called Grass Stains. They were also 4 and 0 coming in, so we knew they would probably be a tough opponent.

For Game 1, Margaret took the mound and showed why she is the anchor of our starting rotation. She pitched brilliantly, not walking a single hitter. Behind her, the Hounds played tremendous defense. On offense, Jason C. set the tone with a leadoff home run. We scored 5 runs in the top of the first and that would be all we would need. However, we continued to pound out hits. George, Alan, Amelia, and Dave each went 3 for 3. Jason C., Iain, and Karim also had a multiple-hit game. Ultimately, our lead got too big and the game was called after the 5th inning due to mercy rule. Final Score: Hounds 16, Grass Stains 2.

Game 2 was a different story altogether. George got the nod at starting pitcher. He had a few good moments, but his control was inconsistent, and he walked too many batters. Grass Stains took advantage of their opportunities and built up a 6-2 lead. Fortunately their pitcher was wild too and we stormed back to take the lead. The 2(Amelia), 3(Iain), 4(Dave) hitters led the attack, combining to go 5 for 6 with 3 walks, a homer, and 8 RBIs. The game was very exciting, we went into the top of the last inning leading by 1. We then let the game get out of hand by allowing them to score 7 runs. We were able to get 2 runs on the board before they closed us out to win it. Final Score: Grass Stains 16, Hounds 12.

The end of the game was marred by an injury that struck one of our fellow Hounds. Amy H. hurt her ankle pretty badly as she slid safely into 3rd during a critical juncture of the game. Needless to say our wishes for a complete and speedy recovery are with her, but we have most likely lost her for the season. It's a tough blow for our team, as it will be impossible to replace Amy's tenacity, team spirit, and heads-up play. Get well soon Amy!

Zog: Team Stats & Standings after 8 Games

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Zog: Hounds Handle Who's On First, 9-3

For the 8th game of our Zog season, we headed to Harlem River Park on 128th Street. We had never been to this field before, and when we got there, we were excited to see that it was all-turf. Just the kind of field that the Hounds excel on...

Our opponents were Who's On First, an established team that we had played(and beaten) the previous season. They are in the top half of our division, so we knew a tough game was ahead of us.

Wink was the catalyst in the top of the first, hitting a leadoff home run, part of a 3 for 3 night for the Winkster. Dave then followed up with a 2-run home run. We tacked on a couple of more runs in the inning, and those 5 runs would be all we would need.

Mega was starting pitcher and did a great job out there. He didn't walk anybody and forced WOF to put the ball in play. Behind him, the Hounds defense was outstanding. Wink, Jason, Dave, and Murph each had a couple of web gems. The offense continued to pound out hits. Murph went 4 for 4. Amelia continued to rake, going 3 for 4. Dave hit another 2-run bomb. Mega helped his own cause with two big RBIs. We would have scored more runs had it not been for some terrible calls made by the umpire, the Patrick Swayze look alike. However, we didn't let his blown calls frustrate us, and we continued to stymie the WOF bats. Mega shut them down after a slight scare in the last inning. Final Score: Hounds 9, Who's On First 3.

I am very proud of the job we did last night. We look better and better as the season goes along. Let's remember though that we have to play Who's On First again in a few weeks, and they will be eager to avenge this loss. 

Our record is now 6 and 2. I would feel really good about our playoff chances, but one look at the standings tells me that the top teams are packed tightly together. The next couple of games will be critical in determining whether we get in our not. Let's keep our focus over the long break. Enjoy the 4th, Hounds!