dupagehounds.com

The Hounds scored three unearned runs in the 3^rd inning and Josh Davis earned a four-inning save as DuPage County completed an Opening Weekend sweep, knocking off defending MCL champion Southland 6-5.

Down 2-1 with a runner on first and no out in the bottom of the 3^rd, Trent Carrier hit a fly ball to right-center field. After miscommunication with his right fielder, Viking Rob Ciffelli let the ball bounce off his glove, putting men on second and third. Mike Roberson tied the game on a sacrifice fly to right, and Frankie Perrone put the Hounds (3-0) up for good with a single to score Carrier. Alex Cain’s RBI single made it three unearned runs at the expense of Southland starter Tyler House and a 4-2 DuPage lead.

The Vikings (0-2) got closer in the top of the 5^th, scoring two more runs off Ryan Hinchley. Jeff Boehm hit a one-out single and Dan Potempa laced a double to put two in scoring position. Stefano Belmante’s two-out single plated both runners and cut the DuPage lead to 5-4.

The Hounds got one back in their turn in the 5^th. Pinch-hitter Brian Lees led off with a single and scored on a wild pitch.

Josh Davis came on to relieve Hinchley in the 6^th inning and delivered four innings of one-run, two-hit ball to earn the long save. Hinchely picked up the win after allowing four runs on six hits in five innings.

Facing his University of Illinois-Chicago teammate, Vikings right fielder Jeff Boehm found extra inspiration at the plate. Boehm went 4-4 with a run and two RBIs, driving those runs in in the top of the third on a double.

Tyler House took the loss for Southland, giving up five runs (two earned) on eight hits over four innings.

After an off day tomorrow, the Hounds hit the road for three weekday games. Their first stop is Sugar Grove on Tuesday to face the Chicago Zephyrs at 5:30. DuPage returns to the Dog Pound in Lisle Friday night for a 7:00 matchup with the Joliet Admirals.