Play continues in the Rick McDonald Fastball League as locals fans take in action in either Azilda (Monday nights) or Garson (Thursday night). Following are recaps from games played last week:

Behind the fine pitching of Jonathan Contin (5-1), the Pickerel River Cardinals took over sole posession of first place in league standings, doubling the Garson Hounds 6-3. The Cardinals jumped out to a 3-1 lead after three frames and never looked back, recording their fifth win of the season against just one defeat.

Contin surrendered 8 hits, issued only a single walk and fanned nine batters, giving him 50 in his six outings this year, an average of 8.25 per game. Gary Lamothe (3-3) suffered his third straight loss, going the distance for the Hounds and allowing eight hits, walking one and striking out six.

League leading hitter Curt Hambly (.786) went 2 for 3 at the plate with teamate Ed Panamick Jr also chipping in with a pair of hits while Don Bidal (2/3) sparked the offense in a losing cause for the Hounds. Under the lights, the nightcap was a high scoring affair.

The Dog House North Stars and Parry Island Hawks combined to score 19 runs, partly due to a total of seven fielding errors between the teams as the North Stars posted a come from behind 10-9 win. The see-saw affair would see the Hawks bounce back from an 8-5 deficit, taking a 9-8 lead into the final inning, only to throw it away - literally.

A crucial overthrow from third base followed by a wild pitch allowed the tying and winning runs to score as the Dog House crew continue to try and get untracked after an uncharacteristically slow start. Sophomore Troy Nootchtai (1-2) went the distance on the mound, picking up his first victory.

Nootchtai gave up 12 hits, issued five walks and struck out a pair as the Stars managed to chase unbeaten Parry Island starter Matt Tobobundung, tagging reliever Al Guenette with the loss. Tobobundung and Guennette allowed a total of just six hits, but were victimized by the combination of seven walks and defensive miscues.

Craig Brown (double, HR) and Walter Tobobundung Jr (double) keyed the Hawks attack, both finishing the game with 3/4 efforts. The Dog House hits were scattered throughout the lineup as Mike Cain ripped a triple while Joel Belanger and Troy Nootchtai also came through with timely hits.

Despite spotting the winless Sudbury Athletics a six run lead, the Garson Hounds rallied, posting an exciting 11-10 victory Thursday night at the Lorne Brady Park. The Athletics started strong and seemed well on their way to victory for the first time this season, taking a 7-1 lead after three innings of play.

The wheels fell off in the fourth as the Hounds tagged veteran pitcher Pat Brennan Sr for five runs and deadlocking the contest at seven. The teams traded three run efforts in the fifth inning before the Hounds would score the eventual game-winning run in the sixth facing reliever John Ainsley.

Gary Lamothe went all the way in picking up his fourth win of the season with a pitching line that read: 13 hits, 0 base on balls and 3 strike outs. John Ainsley suffered the loss in relief of Brennan, giving up 6 hits, issuing 3 walks and fanning four batters. Brennan gave up 9 hits, walked no one and struck out three in his three innings of work.

Eric Ace continued his torid pace at the plate, registering a perfect 4 for 4 evening that included a three-run home run, bringing his average up to .667 in a losing cause for the Athletics. Robbie Edwards countered with his league leading fourth HR of the season, a two run round tripper for the Hounds.

In the nightcap, the fielding proved much more slick than earlier in the week as the Dog House Sportsbar North Stars completed a two-game sweep of the Parry Island Hawks with a close 5-3 victory. The contest featured some excellent pitching and defensive plays by both teams.

Crafty veteran Jordy "Swede" Dahlvik went the distance for the Dog House, picking up his first victory of the season (9 hits, 0 BB, 5 Ks). Matt Tobobundung suffered his first loss of the year for the Hawks, touched up for nine hits, a pair of walks while chalking up a pair of strikeouts.

Jesse St Cyr enjoyed a perfect 2 for 2 at the plate for the North Stars while Craig Brown (2/3) continues to carry a hot bad for the Hawks.