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After beating the Chicago Zephyrs 6-4 last night in a shortened game due to rain, the Hounds’ came home to start their six game home stand. Coming into the game the Hounds’ had struggled at the plate away from Benedictine U scoring only six runs in three games. Assistant coach Ben Caple talked before the game about the Hounds’ hitting.

 

Jake Johansmeier (1-1, 4.76 ERA) took the bump to try and win two in a row for the Hounds. In the early going, Johansmeier got into trouble in the first and second inning. After working out of a leadoff walk in the first, he loaded the bases in the second only to once again pull some magic out and get out of the inning unscathed.

 

Opposing Johansmeier for the Zephyrs was Josh DeGraaf who was making his second appearance of the season.

 

In the bottom of the 4th, the Hounds struck first. Paul DeJong brought in Joey White on an RBI double to deep to center.

 

The Hounds’ played stellar defense to keep the Zephyrs off the board. Jason Euler had a gem in the top of the 5th inning gunning out Steve Kraynak from third base; then did it again to Jaques Camalick later in the inning.

 

DeGraaf was lifted for Kyle Bender (0-1, 7.20 ERA) in the fifth. DeGraaf pitched four innings giving up only two hits and one run.

Bender walked the first two batters he faced. Then after Kyle Hunsinger reached on an error, the bases were loaded. The Hounds’ took advantage after another error by the second base man. They scored two runs on the Zephyrs’ mishap. The score was 3-0 after five innings. The Hounds got two runs on no hits in the inning.

 

Johansmeier, after his eventful first two innings, settled down until the 6th. After two consecutive singles, it looked like he would be lifted, but after a caught stealing and two ground outs to the shortstop, once again Johansmeier worked his magic to escape the inning untouched.

 

The bottom of the 6th started with an error that let Euler reach. Rodemoyer singled to move Euler to second. After a fielder’s choice and a steal, LaComb doubled to right to score two more making the score 5-0 Hounds. One more run was scored on as Matt Richer got into a run down to let LaComb steal home.

 

Alexander Bernstein took over for Johansmeier in the 7th; his first appearance of the year. Johansmeier went six innings giving up six hits and no runs while striking out five.

 

With one away in the 7th, White tripled to right center which forced the Zephyrs to make a call to the pen. Cody Love (0-1, 18.69) entered the game for Bender who pitched 2 1/3 innings and gave up five runs. A wild pitch scored White from third to make the score 7-0.

 

Joshua Stowe came into the 9th for the second time this season to finish the game.

 

The final: 7-0 Hounds

 

The story of the night can be summed up by outstanding defense by the Hounds and the lack of defense for the Zephyrs. The visitors had seven errors on the night while the Hounds had none.

 

The winning pitcher was Johansmeier and the loss went to DeGraaf.

 

The Hounds take on the Rockford Foresters (1-6) Thursday, June 20 at 7 p.m.

 

 

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