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The DuPage Hounds were playing in their 12th game of the summer and the 4th against the visiting Rockford Foresters. The Hounds have not been defeated by the Foresters.

 

Last night, DuPage got the ‘W’ with a 1-0 victory due to the brilliant pitching for Brendan Delany. Daniel Will (0-0, 4.50 ERA) tried to have a repeat performance for the Hounds as Tyler Mitchell (0-0, 4.50 ERA) tried to spoil the Hounds’ three game win streak.

 

The Hounds’ streak is still intact, but game one was not.  After one inning of play, the sirens were sounded and play was stopped. The Hounds were winning 1-0. After an hour long rain delay, the game was finally called.

 

With threating clouds hanging low over Benedictine University’s field, game two began against the Northwest Indiana Oilmen (9-3). The Oilmen are tied atop the MCL standings with the Hounds.

 

To try and keep the winning streak alive (again) was Steve Heilenbach (1-1, 5.00 ERA). Opposing him on the Oilmen was Michael Steensen (2-0, 0.81 ERA). Steensen’s last outing was brilliant as he threw a complete game shutout against the Chicago Zephyrs.

 

Both teams’ offenses reflected the weather, bland through five innings.

 

The Oilmen and Hounds managed to single in the 2nd and 4th inning, but no real danger developed.

 

The top of the 6th was when the Oilmen gained momentum. The inning started with back to back infield singles. After a lazy fly out to left, another single loaded the bases. The first run of the game was scored on a fielder’s choice. The Oilmen took the lead a 1-0.

 

The Hounds responded with an infield single by Josh Keim to start the bottom of the frame. That was quickly followed by an error at third base to let Paul DeJong reach, putting runners on first and second with no one out. Brian Rodemoyer erased the Oilmen lead with a single to left bringing in Keim. The score was then tied 1-1.

 

That was not all for the Hounds. After a Jason Euler fly out to right and DeJong tagged to third, Rodemoyer stole second to put two runners in scoring position. That was also his second steal of the night. Drew LaComb then did his job by bringing in DeJong on a sac fly to left making the score 2-1 Hounds.

 

The Hounds were still not satisfied. Conor Philbin then singled to right center that brought in Rodemoyer making the score 3-1. That chased Oilmen’s starter Steensen for Joe Cochran (1-1, 5.40 ERA). Steensen pitched 5 2/3 innings giving up three runs on five hits. He also walked one and struck out five.

 

After the pedestrian start to the game, there was four runs scored in the 6th inning.

 

In the top of the 7th, Heilenbach gave up a leadoff single which brought coach Osborn out of the dugout to bring in reliever Brent Jurceka (1-0, 1.58 ERA).

Jurceka gave up a run on a deep double by Oilmen first baseman, Nick Saldutti. Hounds still lead 3-2.

 

Heilenbach’s final line was 6 1/3 innings giving up two run on six hits. He walked none and struck out eight.

 

For the 9th inning, Coach Osborn called upon Euler (0-0, 1 SV) to close out the game. Euler had played third base the whole night.

 

Euler walked the first man he faced to bring the go-ahead run to the plate. A sac bunt moved the runner all the way to third because no one was covering. The next batter had an infield single to tie the game at 3-3.

 

Euler labored out of the 9th with the game tied.

 

The Hounds went down in order in the bottom of the inning and it was time for free baseball in Lisle.

 

The top of the 10th was a disaster for the Hounds. Euler gave up a single to the leadoff hitter who then stole second. After a walk he was lifted for Josh Stowe who was making his third appearance. His first pitch hit the batter to load the bases.  Ty Hogan blooped a single to right to score two making the score 5-3.

 

Things only got worse for the Hounds.

 

The next Oilmen batter cleared the bases with a double that hit the wall. The score then ballooned to 7-3. Another single brought in a run making it 8-3. There was still no outs in the inning.

 

Stowe was relieved by Alexander Bernstein making his second appearance of the summer. He managed to get the first out, but then loaded the bases. He walked in a run then ended the inning with two strikeouts. The score was 9-3. The Oilmen had scored six runs in the top of the 10th inning.

 

The Oilmen brought in James Hinkleman (0-1, 2.25 ERA) to pitch the bottom of the 10th.

 

Even being down six runs, the Hounds showed no quit. Mitch Gasbarro leadoff the inning with a double and DeJong brought him in with an RBI single.

Rodemoyer then doubled scoring another making the score 9-5.

 

The Hounds didn’t have enough to mount a larger comeback.

 

The final: 9-5 Oilmen

 

Tomorrow the Hounds take on the Southland Vikings at 6 p.m.