The Greyhounds didn’t waste any time getting to business in a 12-2 six inning win over St. Michael on the second day of pool play at the SpamTown Challenge in Marcusen Park Friday.

The Hounds (5-9 overall) tallied off four straight two-out hits to put up seven runs in the second inning and put things out of reach. Craig Braaten had a big two-run double to right field in the frame, which saw 11 Austin hitters take to the plate.

“We started to hit the ball a little better and the second inning was the knock out punch. We were patient at the plate,” Austin manager John Frein said. “We weren’t afraid of (their pitcher) overpowering us or anything. Everybody had decent at-bats.”

Eight Greyhounds had at least one hit in the game and four of them had at least two hits.

Dan Zielke had two doubles and two RBIs on the night. His second double ended the game with one out in the sixth as it instigated the 10-run rule when two runs scored.

“(Their pitcher) tried to get a lot of fast balls by us and he left them over the plate,” Zielke said. “We took advantage of it. We had a lot of guys on base and a lot of opportunities to score runs.”

Dave Meyer started for the Hounds, but he went just three innings to conserve his arm after things got out of reach. He struck out six.

“We’ve got a Major League quality pitcher on the mound and he took command right away,” Zielke said. “It’s a whole different game with Dave. He’s an incredible pitcher and he knows we’re going to field the ball behind him.”

Alex Kasak pitched the last three innings to pick up the win for the Hounds.

Austin will play Brookings Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and Marcusen Park. To play in Sunday’s final four, the Hounds have to win that contest and hope that the Chicago Vee Pak Hawks fall to St. Michael Saturday at 6 p.m. at Riverland.

The Hawks are 2-0 in Pool A play after already beating the Hounds Friday.

1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E

Saints 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 4 2

Hounds 1 7 0 2 0 2 12 11 1

Hounds pitching: Dave Meyer, 3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 ER, 6 K; Alex Kasak (W), 3 IP, 3 H, 1 ER

Hounds hitting: Mitch Mullenbach, 1-for-4, R; Nick Rohne, 2-for-4, RBI, 2 R; Matt Cano, 1-for-3, RBI, 2 R, BB; Craig Braaten, 2-for-2, double, 2 RBIs, 3 R, BB; Matt Raso, 1-for-3, R; Dan Zielke, 2-for-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs, R; Tim Kaplan, 2-for-2, double, 2 RBIs, R, BB; John Frein, 0-for-3; Mitch Kaplan, R

Saints pitching: Jared Dehmer (L), 5 1/3 IP, 11 H, 3 BB, 12 R, 10 ER, 7 K, 2 HBP

Saints hitting: Bobby Kneefe, 0-for-3; Brandon Valerius, 0-for-2, BB; Nick Volkmann, 0-for-3; Chris Volkmann, 1-for-3, double, RBI; Mike Freske, 1-for-3; Scott Lekatz, 1-for-2, double; Dehmer, 1-for-2, RBI; Ryan Robisch, 0-for-2; Blaine Barthel, 0-for-2