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After dropping three of their last four contests, the Hounds have been looking to bounce back to their winning ways that we saw so often in the beginning of the season. Tonight, the boys in blue and gold locked it all in against the Southland Vikings, putting together an impressive team performance which included an outstanding effort from a group of Hounds pitchers who ultimately carried the squad to a 4-2 win.

 

Manager Ben Caple switched up the lineup card tonight, slotting a healthy Joe Engel back in to his original leadoff spot that he so often locked down early in the season before his brief stint on the DL Joe reached base three times in his five trips after smacking two singles and reaching on a hit by pitch. Mike Roberson kept his impressive eight-game hitting streak alive after going one for four at the plate with a rope single.

 

Brandon Post continues to prove to be the big lefty bat in the middle of the Hounds order as he went a game’s best three for four at the dish with three base knocks. The other Roberson brother, Joey saw the ball well tonight but was limited to just a one for four performance that saw him reach on a single. He lined out two other times on absolute lasers to the shortstop.

 

Eric Giltz continues to be a reliable bat at the end of the Hounds deep batting order as he went one for four on the day with a base hit. The “double-leadoff man” Dane Toppel rounded out the lineup by reaching base three times on two singles and a hit by pitch.

 

Despite not nabbing a hit, Javier Martinez drove in one of the Hounds four runs on a long sac fly. He also reached base via the base on balls. The Hounds were also back to their base stealing ways as Engel, Post and Toppel all swiped one bag.

 

The tall righty out of Eastern Illinois, Cole Berry started on the bump for DuPage where he set the tone early. Cole threw an impressive five innings in which he allowed no runs on two hits while striking out two. Next, it was Ben Simpson who also shut down Viking bats he allowed just one hit and stuck out one in his one inning of work.

 

Christian Bockich threw the seventh and eighth innings, giving up just one run on two hits while striking out one. Finally, it was the man of many talents, John Dreveny who came on for the ninth and notched his first save of the season after allowing just one run on one hit while striking out one. 

 

For Southland, Tyler Crussen reached base three times on two singles and a walk. Austin Blazevic followed Crussen in production after reaching base twice on two base hits. Amir Wright went one for five with a double and knocked in both Southland runs. Xavier Luna had the final Viking hit after making four trips to the plate and that came in the form of a single. Finally, Aaron Fuller reached base three times on three walks.

 

The Vikings threw out the very efficient Mario Samuel to start the ballgame. Samuel threw the first five frames in which he surrendered only one run on six hits while striking out two. The Hounds handed the loss to reliever Parker Coleman who gave up two runs on two hits over his two innings of work. DuPage grabbed an insurance run off the final pitcher, Xavier Luna who also gave up two hits. 

 

The Hounds next ballgame will be Friday, June 17th at 7:20PM against the Northwest Indiana Oilmen at Oil City Stadium. The Hounds currently lead the season series, two games to none.