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After dropping back-to-back heartbreakers last Saturday and Sunday, the Hounds bounced back with a crucial win Tuesday, beating Joliet by a score of 7-5. Currently sitting in first place with a record of 29 wins and 13 losses, the Hounds need just one more win to clinch the MCL regular season title. They can clinch the No. 1 seed in the playoffs by beating the Oilmen on Wednesday or the Vikings on Thursday. If DuPage does happen to clinch the top spot heading into the playoffs, they would have the luxury of having home field advantage throughout the entire post season. Tuesday’s win was a quality one, a win that was produced by the entire team. The offense was hot, the defense was solid and the pitchers commanded the zone. If the Hounds continue these solid team wins, they should have no problem nabbing the Midwest Collegiate League title.

 

Dustin Krob has taken over the role of leadoff role during the final quarter of the season where he has done an excellent of getting on base. In Tuesday’s ballgame, he reached base three times in his five plate appearances on a walk and two singles. He also drove in one of the Hounds’ seven runs. 

 

For the first time in a long time the Carrier brothers were split up in the batting order with Trent hitting second and Shane hitting fourth. Trent was one for five on the day with a RBI single, while Shane was also went one for five with a single.

 

Matt Wollnik found himself back in the lineup after getting the last few games off and he went one for five with a single. The Hounds continue to get an abundance of offensive production from their catching core. Hunter Morris started the game behind the dish and went two for two with a single, double and a RBI. He also reached base a third time after drawing a walk. Ryan Taylor caught the second half of the game and went one for two with a single. Finally, Billy Hayes went a perfect four for four out of the DH spot with two singles and two doubles. He also drove in a game’s best three runs. 

 

Pat Cashman took the mound for the Hounds for the first time this season where his day was short, but extremely efficient. The product of Southeastern Louisiana threw the first three innings in which he surrendered only one run on two hits while striking out two. Nick Alfini locked down the next four innings and gave up just one run on four hits while striking out one. Finally, Ryan Taylor came on for the eighth and ninth where he gave up three runs on three hits while striking out one.

 

For the Admirals, Ryan Hutchinson reached base three times in his five trips on a walk and two doubles. Danny Kelly and Tyler Paulsen both went two for five with two singles and a RBI. Alex Wolanski was one for three with two walks and a single. Chris Hipchen reached base twice on a walk and single. Finally, Jack Martin was one for five with a single.

 

Zach Thomas started the game on the hill for Joliet and threw the first three innings in which he gave up one run on four hits. Eric Littler threw the next two innings and gave up five runs on five hits. Finally, Colin Eggelson was handed the final four innings in which he gave up one run on three hits while striking out two. 

 

The Hounds next ballgame is Wednesday, July 29th against the Northwest Indiana Oilmen at 7:10 PM (CT) at the Oilmen Stadium. The season series is currently tied up at four games.