YSA: Hounds Drop 3rd in a Row

On a beautiful June evening, the Hounds took to the field to try to get back on the winning track. We were up against the team from The Stumble Inn, who are in the top tier of the league. Unfortunately, we were short-handed for this game, and it would prove to be costly. Wink was our starting pitcher and he pitched and fielded his position very well. He deserved the victory, but we were not able to muster enough offense. It did not help that we had to take an automatic out each time through the order due to the fact we were short-handed. It was hard to get any type of rally going and let's give credit to Stumble Inn as they have some impressive players. Their SS was particularly dominant.

This would prove to be an epic ballgame. We held a 5-3 lead until the bottom of the 6th, when Stumble tied it on a cheap 2-run home run. The game was played on a razor's edge for the next few innings, with each team refusing to give an inch. Ultimately, Stumble had runners on 2nd & 3rd with 2 outs and their clean-up hitter due up. After an intentional walk to load the bases, the next hitter stroked one up the middle and off the glove of the diving Iain for the game-winning, walk-off hit. Final Score: Hounds 5, Stumble Inn 6. (10 innings)

This is one of those games that only those that were there can truly appreciate. I hope we will bring the same spirit and defensive cohesion we had for this game to our remaining games. If we do that and can produce just a little more offense, we will be very hard to beat. There is still hope to make the playoffs.

YSA: Stats Thru MidWay Point

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YSA: Hounds Fall Again; Season in Turmoil

After a strong 3-1 start to the season, we dropped another one today to make it two losses in a row and a .500 record. The opponent was Paragon Sports, and although they played with great spirit, they are a team we should beat handily when we are playing like we can. Last week, our defense was strong and our offense was weak, while this week it was vice versa. Margaret was the starting pitcher and she did her job and gave us a chance to win. We let her down defensively though and gave Paragon way too many extra outs. The bottom of the 5th was particularly bad as we gave up 6 runs to cough up a 5-4 lead. The one silver lining is that we mounted a gallant comeback in the bottom of the 7th and even had the tying run on base, but it was too little, too late. Final Score: Hounds 8, Paragon 11.

We are in the doldrums team but there is still time to turn this thing around.

YSA: Hounds Stumble

After winning easy in our last game, we were faced with a greater challenge at Central Park's North Meadow. The Citrin Cooperman team is solid all the way around. They played us very tough, and even though we took a 3-0 lead in the top of the 1st, we would not score again the entire game. Juice was on the mound for us and she did everything she could to keep us in the game as she always does, but we did not do enough on the offensive end. It was a humbling game and a reminder we have work to do if we are to compete with the elite. Final Score: Hounds 3, CC 6.

We have now lost 2 of our last 3(both losses by a score of 6-3). We are now 3-2 and at a crossroads to our season. Will we drop to .500 or will we go to 4-2? I refuse to even entertain the possibility of the former. The way I see it, we will need to go at least 8-4 to ensure a spot in the playoffs and with this latest loss we are leaving ourselves little room for error. I am confident though we can get a winning streak going. Our defense is good but we need to do a better job at the plate. We had too many pop ups today and that doesn't do anything for us. Pop ups don't move the runners along and put no pressure on the defense. I know we can do better.

YSA: Hounds Destroy The Misfits

With Wink on the mound the Hounds got back to their winning ways against the Misfits. The game was close until about the midway point when we blew it open with some timely hitting. Karim led the way going 2 for 2 with a walk and 3 RBIs. Meanwhile, our defense was tight, stifling the Misfits at every turn. They got so frustrated that things got a bit testy but fortunately cooler heads prevailed. The game was closed out with a slick 10-4 double play orchestrated by rookie Rebecca. Final Score: Hounds 15, Misfits 5.

YSA: Stats Thru 3 Games

Hard to believe, but 3 games are in the bag already. Now is a good time to look at the stats.

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YSA: Hounds Fall to Wolves

For Game 3 of the season Juiena took the mound for us as we were hoping to go 3-0. We were up against one of if not the best team in the League, the Citywolves. We played well and held our own against the champs, but we did commit some miscues which cost us dearly. Juice was in full Houdini mode, getting out of jam after jam. She gave us a chance to win the game but we did not do enough to get her the win. The Wolves are a complete team and were able to prevail this time, but we can take some comfort in knowing we kept it close. Final Score: Hounds 3, Citywolves 6.

Let's shake off this first loss and come out strong next week. Same time, same place.