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Game two of this week’s three game set between the Bobcats and the Hounds started out much differently than game one did. The Hounds rocked the Bobcats from the get go in the first game and never looked back, winning in blowout fashion on a score of 11-0. Game two on the other hand started out as well executed pitching duel between DuPage ace Peter Hamot and Bobcats starter Blade Matthews. After each team scored one run in the third, the game’s scoring stalled all the way up until the top half of the eighth inning where Bloomington plated five runs with the help of some base on balls and sloppy defensive play from the Hounds. The Bobcats grabbed one more insurance run in the final frame to help lock in their win at a final score of 7-1.

 

The leadoff man, Dane Toppel continues to swing a hot bat as he was the only Hound to have a multi hit game after going two for three with two singles. He also reached base a third time on a walk. The young and talented Matt Botcher took over at shortstop for tonight’s contest as he was filling in for an injured Dustin Krob who tweaked his hamstring after running out a bunt the night before. Botcher went one for four with a laser line-drive triple to the fence that drove in one.

 

Mike Roberson continues to swing it well as he went one for three at the dish with a double while also drawing a walk. Brandon Post extended his season-long hit streak to eight games as he reached on a single in the second inning. 

 

The Hounds got great production out of Hamot tonight, something they can always count on from the tall Lewis University product. Hamot went five innings in which he surrendered just on run on four hits while striking out five. Despite being extremely effective, he was ultimately chased from the game due to a high pitch count. Familiar face, Nick Alfini returned to the Hounds just a few days ago and was slotted into the game for the first time this season. After throwing quick and clean sixth and seventh innings, Alfini was tagged for four runs in the eighth.

 

Thomas Goodyear came in to try and stop the bleeding in that same eighth inning where his efforts were ultimately to no avail. He was chased out of the game after the Bobcats displayed their plate discipline by drawing three straight walks off the reliever. Finally, Bryan Bund continues to display his success out of the pen after he shut down the Bobcats in their final four outs, allowing no hits while striking out one.

 

Jonathen Broadbear lead the way for Bloomington offensively where he went two for three with a two singles and a RBI. Garret Shea, Tim Smyk, Grant Anderson, Cody Rogers and Ryan Scott all smacked singles. Despite putting up seven runs as a team, Nick Brunson was the only Bobcat with an extra base that came in the form of a double.

 

Starter Blade Matthews went five innings in which he gave up just the one run on four hits while striking out one. Tim Smyk moved over from first base to throw the next two frames in which he gave up no runs on no hits while striking out two. Finally, Kody Silverthorn came in for the final two frames in which he too gave up no runs on just one hit while striking out two.

 

The rubber match of this three game set will be played Thursday, June 9th at 5:00pm down at Illinois Wesleyan in Bloomington. The Bobcats currently lead the season series 2-1 and the Hounds can jump back in to sole position of first place with a win, a position that was previously reclaimed by the Bobcats after taking Wednesday night’s contest.