GLOUCESTER– On July 22nd, after 1 rainout, 1 postponement, 1 non-game, and 3 reschedules, the SweatSox and Coyotes finally faced off in a 2022 NCBL regular season game. Most of us thought this would be an easy win where we’d pad our offensive stats against a team giving up an average of over 11 runs per game, but SweatSox Authority Cory Bond pleaded with us before the game to not take this team for granted, and he was right. Multiple Coyotes told me when they reached first base (where I, Shaun Keay, play defensively), that this was by far their best lineup of the season, and why for 7 innings this game was so competitive.
Dave Rotari got the start for the SweatSox, pitching for the first time in over a month after suffering that devastating ankle injury during the last Winchester Heat game. Rotari threw 5 innings, giving up 4 hits and just 2 walks (which was 2 walks too many for Josh Ramage’s liking), while playing “silver” glove defense at his position (4 assists including an inning ending line-out-throw-out double play). He would’ve been awarded a gold glove if he didn’t throw that 1 pickoff attempt into the parking lot.
With the game so close and Rotari fresh off an injury, Authority Cory made the controversial call to go to the bullpen in the 6th, even though OMR was still throwing a shutout. I’m not sure why we keep doubting our fearless leader, because the move paid off. Eric White threw the final 2 innings, striking out 4, and preserving the combined shutout for the 4-0 SweatSox win. This was Rotari’s 1st SweatSox win of his career, and White’s 4th save of the season.
At the plate, Eric White and Marc Lett each had a 2-hit night (and we can say night because this was a rare SweatSox 8:30pm game), but the offensive player of the game was Jason Klein, who’s 1st inning slump-busting double off the right field fence, that eventually led to our second run of the game, really gave the Sox pitchers that extra confidence to go out there and pitch lights out. Tech’s big night even earned him a reluctant golf invite from Josh Ramage the following morning, and a spot in the newest SweatSox side golf chat. Congratulations Jason!
Finally, a big CONGRATULATIONS goes out to Ross Hughes, who is the proud father of the newest member of the SweatSox family: Callie Kent Hughes. Thankfully, she looks nothing like Ross.
Final SweatSox vs Coyotes Notes/Thoughts:
- The most beautiful baby Ross has ever seen is Kent.
- The Kent is silent. Kent wishes Josh was silent. Josh wishes everyone was silent.
- If you get a parking ticket, drive to Ross’ house and put it on his truck.
- Eric is definitely going to see Hamilton.
- Eric is probably going to see Hamilton.
- Eric is probably not going to see Hamilton.
- Eric is definitely not going to see Hamilton.
- If Twitter is the last place that gets updated for rainouts, what’s the first?
- The Amazon brace will be the path back.
- It’s a slow 678, 3-8, and 2-15.
- I, Shaun Keay, have 48 career stolen bases. That’s more than Jas, Tech, and Larry combined (47).
- Kent wants to make it absolutely clear that if he shows up, he wants to sit.
- The Coyotes got Stu back, but he’s not managing (yet).
- Why is Jas batting 2nd?
- People might hate me on Twitter, but they like me in person.
- Lett took a nut shot and his left arm went numb.