Zog: Final Regular Season Stats

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Zog: Hounds Close Out Strong

Having not been able to play an official game for the past couple of weekends, the Hounds returned to DeWitt Clinton Field to close out the regular season. It was an unseasonably warm fall evening and the Lousy Shirts team awaited in the opposing dugout. We knew the game carried importance as playoff seedings were in play. After a brief pre-game exchange regarding the bases in which we were able to steal away home field advantage, it was time to play ball.

Juiena took the mound and set the tone for us by pitching a 1-2-3 top of the 1st. Now it was our turn up to bat and we quickly got on the board, MikePa singling and scoring on a base hit by Iain. However, Lousy Shirts scored 3 in the top of the 2nd, and the game would become a slugfest. Let's give credit to Lousy Shirts, they are a solid ballclub top to bottom and made some fine plays to keep themselves in the game. We tied it at 3-3 in the bottom of the 2nd, only for our opponents to take the lead again in the top of the 3rd. Entering the bottom of the 4th, we were down 4-6 and we knew it was just a matter of time before we could turn this one around. Jason T, Juiena, and The Cap all got on base to start the inning, setting up a bases loaded opportunity for Dave. Coming off a long layoff, he showed why he is the straw that stirs the Schlink by proceeding to hit a frozen rope in the gap for a grand slam home run. It was part of a 3 for 3, 5 RBI night for the Big Fella. 

After re-taking taking the lead, we would never look back. Juiena continued to battle and our defense put in an A- defensive performance. There were a couple of minor miscues, but they did not cost us too much. We would add 3 runs in the 5th and one run in the 6th, MikePa hitting a solo homer. Lousy Shirts tacked on 2 in the 6th but were unable to make it any closer. Juice closed them out after a brief scare in the 7th to secure the complete game victory. Final Score: Hounds 12, Lousy Shirts 8.

This was a great way to head into the playoffs. I'm proud of the way we kept our heads in the game despite being down for a couple of innings. Our offense was clicking well– we scored a run every inning. But we still need to work on our baserunning decisions both as baserunners and base coaches as we got burned again(twice) on baserunning plays. 

We head into the playoffs having put in one of our most complete performances of the season. I am confident we can do well if we have a full compliment of players available. We must stay humble and hungry though if we are to reached the promised land.

Zog: Hounds Win By Forfeit

Zog: Team Stats thru 4 games

The Stats have been compiled thru the first 4 games and there are many Hounds that are having outstanding seasons. Of course Iain has taken his usual place among the stat leaders, but the big surprise is MikePa, who is team leader in batting average and runs scored. Mike is hitting a perfect 1.000. It is literally impossible to do better than that. Rookies Kyle and Will(Buddah) are distinguishing themselves, hitting .800 and .700 respectively.

Among the ladies, Juiena leads in batting average with Push and Camille right behind her. Juice is also having a dominant season on the mound, posting a minuscule 1.40 ERA. That has to make her one of if not the best pitcher in the league. Way to go, Juice and the defense behind her deserves credit for that too.

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Zog: Hounds Stomp on The Other Team

Coming off a two-game winning streak, the Hounds headed back to DeWitt Clinton Field to solidify their status as legitimate championship contenders. As the game was about to commence, a beautiful scarlet and purple sunset blanketed the sky. Our opponent had a name befitting any Hounds opponent: The Other Team. They seemed very focused and determined to get their first win of the season, so we thought we could be in for a challenge. Oh, how wrong we would be.

As the home team, we took the field first with our ace Juiena on the mound, having just returned from her nuptials. She showed no signs of rust as she closed out TOT 1-2-3 in the 1st. Then it was our turn to bat, and we quickly put up a 5-spot. MikePa earned a 4-pitch walk which allowed Juiena to also walk, setting the stage for Mr. Clutch Iain to hit one of his patented opposite-field home runs. The Cap then broke out of a 1 for 7 slump by stroking a clean single to left. Jason T. then stepped up and drilled a two-run homer, putting us up 5-0 after the first inning. Juiena continued to roll along, and we would add 3 runs in the 2nd.

The 3rd inning was a killer for TOT. They were only down 8-0 and had us down to our final out in the bottom of the frame. With Jason T. on 3rd base, Diana hit a grounder to the shortstop which seemed destined to be an out. D.Lo never gave up on the play though, hustling all the way. The shortstop's throw was bobbled by the first baseman, allowing D.Lo to be safe and JT to score. That error opened the floodgates, and by the time the inning was over, Mike, Iain, and Pat had all homered, putting us up 15-0. It just goes to show that this game can change on one play and good things happen when we hustle.

Another highlight that has to be mentioned is Camille's 3-run home run in the 4th inning. It was a laser shot to left which had our dugout going crazy. There was a bit of bad blood between the two teams, but it was quickly squashed by the umpire(Swayze). All in all, it was a solid offensive performance from the Hounds, I saw a lot of well-hit balls that would have been hits against any team. The standouts on the evening were MikePa(2-2, 2 BB, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 RS), Juiena(3-3, BB, 4 RS), Iain(4-4, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 3 RS), Pat(3-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 RS), Jason T.(3-3, HR, 3 RBI, 2 RS), and Camille(2-2, BB, HR, 3 RBI, 3 RS).

Unfortunately, the lights were mysteriously cut off in the middle of the top of the 5th. With the game well in hand, and TOT looking shell-shocked, we felt it was only right to call it a day and end their suffering. Final Score: Hounds 23, The Other Team 0.

As this season has played out, it's pretty clear that there are 1 or 2 other teams that we need to be concerned about come playoff time. One is Never Been to Third, who we lost to on opening day, the other is the team we face this Sunday. As of this posting, they are undefeated and in first place. Let's see how well they measure up to the Hounds.

Zog: Hounds Make it Two in a Row

It was a cloudy early fall afternoon with the faint hint of summer still lingering in the air. A light sprinkle fell from the sky as the Hounds took the field on Roosevelt Island. Although short handed(9 players), they were full of confidence and ready to get interim manager Wink his first victory. The opponent, CYANide (who were also short handed), scored 2 runs in the first inning after a couple of bloop hits and some miscues. Then the Hounds came up to bat and quickly erased the deficit with 5 runs of their own. They continued to bring in runs in multiple innings always keeping the pressure on CYANide who had to play catch up the whole game. The Hounds defense settled in and although we gave up 10 runs we also made timely defensive plays that halted CYANide’s momentum and were huge rally killers. Highlights in the field were Camille(unassisted double play), Buddah(throwing out a runner at home), Amy(doubling up a runner tagging too early), Jason T.( an outfield assist to 2^nd), and Amanda(catching 2 foul balls hit straight back behind the plate). The offensive standouts were Kyle (4 for 4, 3 RBI, 2 RS), Buddah (3 for 4, 2 RBI, 1RS), Wink (2 for 4, HR, 3 RBI, RS) and Amy (2 for 3, BB). In the end, the Hounds were the more focused team and knew what it took to win. Final Score: Hounds 14 , CYANide 10.

Kudos to Wink and everybody else for getting the job done. It doesn't matter how you do it, the 'W' in the standings is all that matters. This is a critical win that puts us in control of our own destiny as we march towards the playoffs. Nice work, team.

Zog: Hounds Bounce Back Big-Time

Having lost a nailbiter on opening day, it was time for the Hounds to get back on the field and return to our winning ways. It was another trip to DeWitt Clinton, and it was a perfect evening for softball. In the opposing dugout were the City Slickers, a team we knew nothing about, other than that they had won on opening day. With only 6 games in the regular season, it was imperative that we get the win in this game. We took the field focused and determined.

As the away team, we came up to bat first, and we got off to a flying start. MikePa got us going again, leading off the game with a double, and scoring from 2nd on a simple 6-3 by Juiena. Wink then came up and stroked a solo homer, and the next 7 hitters proceeded to hit safely. Let's be honest, City Slickers definitely butchered a lot of balls, but we made the most of their mistakes. After the top of the first was over they were down 9-0 and there could be little doubt we would prevail.

Juiena got the ball as starting pitcher and she was in a nice groove from the start. Her high arc pitch was confounding City Slickers, and the defense behind her was outstanding. Most of the action for us on the defensive side occurred in the infield. Iain and the Cap were a strong left side of the infield combo, and new Hound Kyle played a solid first base. Meanwhile, our offense continued to roll along. The production was spread around, but the standouts were Mike(3-3, 2 RS, RBI), Wink(3-4, 2 HR, 4 RS, 3 RBI), Iain(5-5, 2 HR, 5 RS, 4 RBI), Push(4-5, 2 RS, 3 RBI), Buddah(4-4, HR, 3 RS, 3 RBI), and Kyle(4-4, 2 HR, 3 RS, 5 RBI). WIth the score at 17-0, Amy was brought in to get some relief work. She pitched well for the first couple of innings but got into some trouble in the bottom of the 5th. George then came in to get the final 7 outs of the game and he closed out City Slickers with relative ease. Let's give them credit for taking the beating in stride and let's give credit to the ump(Swayze) for letting us get the whole game in despite going over the time limit by a lot. Final Score: Hounds 27, City Slickers 7.

Even though we came through with a solid performance tonight, I must caution that our opponents were pretty awful and we shouldn't read too much into this blowout win. There are better teams ahead of us, although we also have the team that lost to City Slickers ahead on our schedule. That should be interesting. For next week, several key players will be away. Who is going to step up and carry us to victory?