Gotham: Hounds Block Gamma Rays

Having dominated our opponents in our previous Gotham City outing, we headed over to the Great Lawn on a beautiful, hot morning to further cement our status as serious contenders for the trophy. Seems like a lot of Hounds were away this weekend, as the squad was down to only 12 players available. Fortunately, those 12 showed up ready to handle business. In the opposing dugout was Gamma Rays, an Incredible Hulk-inspired team. By the end of the series, we would have them feeling more like Bruce Banner.

For Game 1, Margaret got the call and she answered with her usual dominance. Truth be told, Gamma Rays only had 3 good players, maybe 4. But they were a scrappy if inexperienced bunch that gave us a decent fight in the first game. 

Another truth is that the book is kind of a mess from that game and I was a bit too shall-we-say hungover to remember what exactly happened to sort it all out. What we do know is that Pat & Iain(twice) both went yard, and Margaret was her usual self with both her pitching and her glove. The game was close but never really in doubt. Final Score: Hounds 9, Gamma Rays 3.

Game 2 was different in that we jumped out to a big early lead and never looked back. Margaret was once again the pitcher and Gamma Rays had no answer for her. She also came through with a 2-RBI single. Iain and Pat carried our offense, going a combined 7-8 with 8 RBIs. Jessie had a big game, going 3 for 3 with her first run scored as a Hound. Our defense was solid and the only question was would the game end by mercy rule. We had a couple of opportunities to end it early, but let's give credit to Gamma for not succumbing and keeping their honor intact. Final Score: Hounds 11, Gamma Rays 2.

We are looking good out there. We will definitely be facing tougher opponents in the coming weeks, and that will actually be a good thing. We need a challenge to build our character. Let's keep working hard, Hounds.

Zog: Hounds Batter Rams

Having already clinched a playoff spot, the Hounds headed over to idyllic Heckscher Field in Central Park to face the Rams, a Fordham alumni team that we have faced(and beaten–albeit with some controversy) before. For us, the remainder of the season is about fine tuning our ballclub and building momentum as we enter the playoffs. The Rams came in holding on to the slightest glimmer of hope to make the post-season. The conditions were perfect and the stands were packed with spectators wanting to see some good ball. We would not disappoint.

We were home team for this game, and Margaret got the ball making her 2nd consecutive start. Rams would score 2 runs in the top of the first, and we promptly answered with 3 runs of our own in the bottom of the frame. Wink was the catalyst, hitting a laser in the gap for a 3-run dinger, part of a 5-RBI day for him. The game stayed close for a few innings and we entered the bottom of the 4th with the score tied at 4-4. We thought we were in for a tough finish.

As has been our M.O. in recent games, we put the pedal to the metal in the later innings. MikePa had a 3-run homer of his own in the 4th. Dave & Iain went back-to-back in the 5th. Then in the 6th we really poured it on, scoring 6 runs to put the result beyond doubt. The ladies really stepped up at the plate, going a combined 10-15. Cindy went 2-4, Juiena went 3-4, Claudia smoked a single to left, Amy had a 2-RBI base hit, and Margaret went 3-3. Let's not forget Mr. Clutch Iain who continued his assault on the triple crown by going 4-4 and hitting 2 homers. All the while Margaret shut the opponent down aided by some bend-but-don't-break defense. Rams were demoralized by the time their last at-bat came up and went out meekly to end the game. Final Score: Hounds 17, Rams 4. Protest That!

We are on a roll and the timing could not be better. We have a bit of a long break until our next game (July 28th) and I do not want us to lose our momentum. It may be wise to have a practice soon. Stay Tuned.

Zog: Hounds Show Grit & Clinch a Playoff Spot

Our Zog season finally brought us to one of our favorite fields to play at in Central Park's Great Lawn. The grass was thick and the weather was beautiful. We were fortunate to bump into a catering truck which supplied some much-appreciated libations. After a brief delay waiting for the umpire to appear, the game was set to start. Our opponents were the Hardballers, a cellar-dwelling but scrappy team that was hungry for their first win. 

Margaret was our starting pitcher and as always, she pitched very well. She held Hardballers to 3 runs over 7 innings. Our defense gave up a bit, but mostly took away. Our opponents had a very crafty pitcher too though, and his work combined with some decent defense held us to no runs through the first 3 innings. We were down 0-3 entering our turn at-bat in the bottom of the 4th. We knew we were on the verge of turning this thing around.

The top of the order then came up in the 4th and sparked the turnaround. Alan, Cindy, and George got 3 hits in a row, then Iain stepped up and hit a 3-run home run. Just like that we had overturned the 0-3 deficit to a 4-3 lead. After that, we were off to the races. 10 Hounds had a multiple-hit game, including Murph who went 4-4 and had a ton of action at third base. We scored 9 in the 4th and 6 in the 5th to blow the game open. We continued to make the plays we needed to on defense and closed them out with a 1-2-3 7th. Final Score: Hounds 16, Harballers 3.

With this win we have clinched a playoff berth. I won't congratulate anybody because we have bigger things on our mind and making the playoffs was always a foregone conclusion, at least in my mind. We must continue to build on our momentum as we head into the 2nd season. Our final 2 opponents are in the lower half of the standings, but they both have an outside chance of making the playoffs so you know they will be playing hard. Let's be the dream-crushers.

Zog Standings Link

Gotham City: Hounds Demolish Solid Chemicals

It was another glorious Saturday in New York as the Hounds took the field in Central Park. We were looking to put on a stronger showing than we did on Opening Day, and the team showed up to the field early and ready to handle business. In the opposing dugout was Solid Chemicals, a team with a name more befitting a detergent factory than a softball team. Let's give them credit for being a classy team, even if they might not have been fully prepared for the Hounds onslaught.

In Game 1, Margaret took the mound making her first appearance of the season. She showed right away why she is such a big difference-maker on our ballclub. A 1-2-3 first inning was a sign of things to come. Meanwhile, our offense put 3 quick runs on the board in the 1st, Mr. Clutch Iain hitting a 2-RBI triple. That was all we would really need as Margaret was masterful throughout the game. The defense behind her was stellar. Iain was in full dream-shatterer mode, making nifty play after nifty play at short. The defensive highlight of the game though has to go to Jason T. who gunned out one of Solid Chemicals' guys at 2nd base after a clean base hit to center. If you don't hustle against the Hounds, you're dead.

We added runs in each inning, and as the game wore on we got more and more relaxed. Pat hit another tape-measure home run, Jason T. chased Margaret around the bases after a home run of his own, and Iain hit a 2-run homer to take his RBI total for the game up to 4. Those 2 runs took us past the mercy-rule threshold and ended the game in the top of the 5th. Final Score: Hounds 12, Solid Chemicals 0.

For Game 2, Margaret once again got the ball and she continued to throw strikes and let the defense do the work. We were up to the task, although Solid Chemicals were able to string together some clean hits and finally get on the board. On offense, the star of the show was Pat, who hit another long home run and had 5 RBIs in the game. Some other standouts were Cindy(2-3, RBI, 2 RS), Karim(3-3, 2 RBI, RS), and MIke(2-2, SAC, 2 RBI, RS). We put 4 runs on the board in the bottom of the 5th, and the Captain(rocking the Yankee-Doodle-Dandy socks) stepped up to the plate knowing a base hit would score 2 and end the game on mercy rule. He proceeded to stroke a base hit between the shortstop and third baseman, Game Over. Final Score: Hounds 13, Solid Chemicals 2.

We put in a very solid effort in this one, team. However, I would caution that not all of our opponents will be cupcakes like Solid Chemicals. I know our team is destined for the playoffs, in my mind the regular season will be about refining our game so that when "October" rolls around we will be a finely tuned machine.

Zog: Team Stats Through 9 Games

With only a quarter of the season left, the races for team leader in the various offensive categories are really heating up. I have to give props to Alan, Claudia, and Juiena for getting their batting averages way up from the last time stats were posted.

(click to enlarge)

Zog: Hounds Break Sporting's Wood

After a strong showing in our last Zog game, the Hounds headed over to Colonel Charles Young Field in Harlem looking to keep the winning streak going. It was a muggy June afternoon in New York, and a bunch of us got to the field nice and early. We took some cuts and got acclimated to the field conditions, which were actually not as bad as we were expecting. Our opposition was Sporting Wood, a team that seemed like they might have had a few drinks before the game...big mistake. It's hard enough to play against the Hounds sober, much less inebriated.

Juiena once again got the ball as starting pitcher and she continued her run of dominance. Actually this might have been her most brilliant performance of the season. Sporting Wood only scored in one inning, and that was only because of a couple of defensive misplays. On offense, we were able to score early and often. MikePa set the tone in the 1st inning, hitting an opposite-field leadoff home run. We proceeded to score 8 in the 1st and we were on our way. Everyone in the lineup had at least one hit, but the major contributors were Mike(3-4, HR, 2 RS, 2 RBI), Dave(2-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI), Iain(4-4, 2 HR, 4 RS, 4 RBI), Wink(3-4, HR, 3 RS, 2 RBI), and Juiena (3-3, 3 RS, 3 RBI).

Defensively we were very sharp save for those early miscues. MikePa had a nice catch in the outfield that saved at least one run. Mega came on to pitch in relief in the top of the 5th. Sporting Wood mounted a brief scoring threat in their last at bat, but Mega shut them down to close out 2 innings of scoreless relief. Final Score: Hounds 22, Sporting Wood 3.

This was a very solid win, team. We have now won 4 in a row and are playing better defensively with each passing game. We can start counting on being in the playoffs, although I would stress our work in the regular season is far from done. We still have shot at finishing first overall in the division, that should be our goal as we head towards the home stretch.

Gotham City: Hounds Split on Opening Day

After weeks of anticipation, the Hounds were ready to start the Gotham City Sports season. It was a beautiful June afternoon in Central Park, and we showed up to the field ready excited to play ball. In the opposing dugout was an outfit called JeffCo, a poorly prepared team than we should be able to beat easily when we are on our game. Unfortunately, we played a little tight this series and were unable to secure the sweep.

In Game 1, George took the mound but his control was off and he was pulled after an ineffective 2 innings. Pat came on to pitch in relief, and he did a great job. On offense, the 2nd inning was big for us, as we scored 5 runs. The highlight of the game had to be Dave and Pat hitting two tape-measure home runs back-to-back. The game was close but we held the lead throughout and Pat closed the door in the last inning. Final Score: Hounds 10, JeffCo 8.

For Game 2, Pat once again got the ball, this time as a starter. We jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the first inning , with Jason T. hitting a 3-run home run. Pat pitched well and we headed into the final inning with a 5-2 lead. Then we proceeded to implode. We booted a bunch of routine plays and there was also a very controversial call made by the umpires. Before you knew it, JeffCo had the winning run at the plate. Their star hitter was up and he proceeded to hit a 3-run homer to win the game. Final Score: JeffCo 6, Hounds 5.

As frustrated as I was by the umpires' blown call, we deserved to lose at least one game with the way we played out there. The truth is, we were lucky to not have gotten swept. Except for a select few, our hitting was very lackluster. Our fielding at times was dreadful, I'm not going to sugarcoat it. We must improve greatly or it will be a mediocre campaign. The good news is that I know the quality of players we have on this team and I know we are up for the challenge.