Team News

The Hounds entered Sunday’s game with their backs against the wall after dropping game one of the best of three series. Already down 0-1, DuPage had no choice but to lay it all out there or face elimination. Unlike Saturday’s ballgame, this contest was all about crafty pitching. Joliet scored the first runs of the ballgame in the sixth inning to go up 2-0. The Hounds didn't respond until the top half of the eighth when they plated four of their own. Heading into the ninth up 4-2, the Hounds shut down the ballgame after allowing just one run in the ninth to take the game 4-3.  

 

Despite only scoring four runs, every Hounds’ batter reached base at least once with via the hit. Zac Taylor led it off for the Hounds’ where he reached base twice on a walk and a single. He also stole the Hounds’ only base in the contest. Joe Duncan slid back up into the top third of the lineup for Sunday’s game where he went one for five with a single.

 

Ryan Fitzgerald continued his hit streak after going one for five with a double. The Carrier brothers continue to stay hot as they put up six hits between the two of them. Trent went three for five with three singles while Shane also went three for five with three singles and a RBI. Richie Gorski followed the Carrier brothers lead by also going three for five with three singles.

 

Hunter Morris locked down the catching duties for game two where he found himself on base twice in his five chances thanks to a walk and a two-run single. Matt Wollnik was back in the lineup after getting game one off and he went one for five with a single. Finally, Bobby Wenthe reached base twice in his four chances on a walk and a RBI single.

 

Manager Sean Osborne elected Nick Alfini to be the game two starting pitcher. Alfini carried his consistent play from the regular season into the playoffs as he went an impressive eight and one-thirds innings in which he surrendered only three runs on seven hits while striking out five. Tom Concklin came in for the final two outs of the ballgame where he allowed no runs on no hits as he earned the save.

 

For Joliet, Tyler Paulsen continues to dominate Hounds’ pitching as he went three for four at the plate with two singles, a double and a RBI. Ryan Hutchinson went two for four with a single, a double and two RBIs. Zach Thomas and Nate Tholl both went one for four with a single.

 

Nick Allgeyer started on the hill for the Admirals where he too was very impressive. He threw the first seven innings in which he gave up no runs on six hits while striking out five. The Hounds’ lit into reliever Yianni Pavlopoulous for the second straight game as he gave up all four run on four hits. John Thomas threw the eighth where he gave up no runs on two hits. Finally, Zach Thomas threw the ninth as he gave up no runs on three hits.

 

Game 3 of the series will be played Monday, August 3rd at the Lemont High School Sports Complex at 5:00 PM (CT). With the series knotted up at 1-1, the winner of Monday’s ballgame will advance to the MCL Championship against either the NWI Oilmen or the Lexington Snipes. That series is also tied up at 1-1 and they will also be playing their game 3, Monday at 5:00 PM (CT).