The Dog’s advanced to the Mid-Maryland Semi-Pro Baseball League on Monday after defeating the Maryland Outlaws in the first round.  The Flying Dogs made short work of the Outlaws in game 1 of the 3 game series on Thursday 11-1 behind Matt Buchholz.  Game two was resumed on Monday after a rainout in the second inning on Sunday afternoon.  Flying Dog pitching dominated recording 18 strikeouts in the 7 inning game.  Rob Moses picked up the win on the hill as the Dogs won 6-4.

In an anti-climactic end to the 2008 regular season the Flying Dogs clenched the top seed in the MMSPBL following forfeits from both the Sykesville Bulldogs and Carroll County Spartans.  Both teams elected to save their pitching for the playoffs which were just around the corner.  The Dogs wrapped up the regular season with a 23-5 league record, the best record in team history.

The semi-final round of playoffs will be a 3 game series beginning Tuesday.  The Dogs will take on the 4 seeded Taylorsville Titans who where victims of the Flying Dogs 3 times this season.  Matt Buchholz will take the hill in the opener at Husky Field on Tuesday at 6:00PM.

The Dogs bats came to life over the weekend taking the first 3 games of the 4 game weekend series against six time Mid-Maryland Semi-Pro Baseball League champions the Westminster Falcons.  The victories propelled the Dogs past the Falcons in the league standings and again in to first place in the MMSPBL where the Dogs sat for the majority of the season.

Matt Buchholz picked up the win in game 1 allowing only 1 hit and 1 run over six innings while tallying up 12 strikeouts.  Offensively Chris Fulda homered twice and Buchholz and newcomer Steve Shriner each homered as the Flying Dogs forced the mercy rule in to effect after 6 innings.

In game 2 Chase Wolf settled in after a shaky 2nd inning for a complete game victory.  After falling behind early, the Dogs exploded for 10 runs in the 4th inning off the Westminster starter.  Five Flying Dogs doubled on the day including Rob Moses whose 2 run double in the 4th inning gave the Flying Dogs the lead.  Buchholz had a homer and a double in the big inning.

On Sunday Rob Moses picked up the victory on the hill going 6 strong innings allowing only 2 runs on 3 Westminster hits in the 10-2 victory.  The dogs scored 10 runs on 6 hits including doubles by Steve Canale and Abe Buckman.  In game 2 on Sunday the Dogs fell behind early allowing 7 runs in the first inning, a deficit they could not overcome as they fell to the Falcons in the series finale 14-7.

Pool play begins on Saturday at 11:00 am and continues through Sunday morning.  The top team from each pool will move on to the semi final game on Sunday afternoon.  The championship game will be played Monday at North Hagerstown High School.

5/24 Williamsport Fedlock Falcons  11:00

5/24 Williamsport Hagerstown Mudcats 4:00

5/25 Williamsport Virginia Orioles 10:30

Williamsport High School (field is on right, way before school)
5 South Clifton Drive
Williamsport, MD 21795

After the Carroll Cobras tied the game at 3 in the bottom of the sixth on a series of defensive miscues, the Flying Dogs quickly bit back with a run in the top of the 7th to again take the lead.  One run was all they would need as Abe Buckman came in and slammed the door on the scrappy Cobras.  Matt Buchholz started the game and pitched 5 strong innings in the no-decision, Rob Moses worked the 6th retiring the first 2 batters before a series of defensive miscues brought the Cobras back in to the game.

The Flying Dog offense continued its timely hitting.  Kenny Govans led off the top of the seventh with a single and moved to third on a double off the bat of Chris Fulda.  Govans eventually came around to score the winning run on a sac fly to right field from Matt Buchholz.

Next Game: Sunday May 18 1:00PM at Husky Field vs. Sykesville Bulldogs