dupagehounds.com

It was an early start at the Dog Pound this morning, but Bob Kametas, the starting and winning pitcher for the Hounds, was anything but drowsy. Behind the quality start of Kametas, the Hounds topped the Admirals 5-2 in the first game of a Friday doubleheader.

Kametas was in control early on in this game. Aside from allowing two hits within the first two innings, Kametas shined when it mattered most: with runners in scoring position. In the first, second, and fourth inning, Kametas stranded Admiral base runners and limited the offensive efficiency of the team when they threatened to score.

Kametas dictated the pace of the game, as well as the bats of the visiting team. In his eight innings of work, he only allowed four hits, while striking out five. Although the Admiral offense did score two unearned runs, Kametas retired eight consecutive Admiral hitters through the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, leading the Hounds to another home victory.

The Hounds’ offense followed in Kametas’ footsteps and got on the board immediately. Brendan Miller, the starting pitcher for the Admirals, gave up a leadoff walk to Emerson Misch to start off the first. After advancing from a wild pitch and sacrifice bunt, Misch scored from third when Drew LaComb grounded out to short.

Fireworks flew at the Dog Pound in the second inning when Mike Roberson stepped up to the plate. In his first at-bat of the game, Roberson swung for the fences and belted a home run to left-center. His home run was the first dinger hit by the Hounds at home this season, and it also gave the team a 2-0 lead through two innings.

The Hounds weren’t done with the scoring. In the third inning, Richie Gorski was hit by a pitch with two outs. After stealing second, Gorski advanced to third when Miller balked. From there, Drew LaComb hit a liner out to right field that Michael DiViesti misplayed and Gorski scored, putting the home team up 3-0.

Gorski got back into the action in the fifth inning when his line drive shot into left scored Clayton Johannes, giving the Hounds a 4-0 lead. The margin would expand to 5-0 in the sixth inning when Frankie Perrone ripped a double down the left field line that scored Alex Cain from first base.

The Hounds’ offense provided plenty of support for Kametas. His eight innings on the mound were fairly efficient, as he finished off the day with 106 pitches.

In the ninth inning, the ball was handed to Nick McKinney, who made his first appearance of the season with the team. In his one inning of work, McKinney struck out one and earned the save.

The Hounds will play their second game of the day tonight when the Chicago Zephyrs will visit the Dog Pound. The game is scheduled to start at 7 PM from Benedictine University.