GREENBORO– On August 17th, the SweatSox dropped a 2-1 contest against the Reapers under the lights at Southgate, in a game where the result would have crucial playoff seeding implications. With the win, the Reapers are on track to grab the #2 seed (and guarantee their offseason pitch to move up to Tier 2 will be successful), while the loss just about assures the SweatSox will play in the 4 vs 5 first round series, inevitably against the Rockets.
While usually it’s the SweatSox defense that lets us down, it was a few mental mistakes on the basepaths that shot us in the foot this time.
- We had a chance to jump out to the early lead in the top of the first* with a runner at 3rd and nobody out, but Eric White started walking back to 2nd after easily stealing 3rd, thinking there was a foul ball (we believe he just wanted to steal it again and get credit for an extra SB). Eric was tagged out in all the confusion. The Reapers did a similar thing last game and still won, so we knew we still had a shot.
*NOTE: We batted in the top of the 1st because we were the visiting team. - The SweatSox scored our only run of the game in the 6th, but we hit into a weird 4-6-3-6 FC bases loaded double play to end that inning earlier than we would’ve liked, thanks in part to a big bounce off the 1st base fence that got our runner easily tossed at 2nd. Where were the base coaches on both these plays??
In our first Reapers matchup of the year, we got to face Brendan Ellingham on short rest, which went pretty well for us. This time though, we got the fully rested, fully charged, fully motivated Ellingham we’ve heard so much about, and he lived up to the hype. In 6 innings pitched, he gave up either 2 or 3 hits depending on who you ask, just 1 walk, 6 strikeouts, and a couple HBP’s in his last inning to a few of our big guns (White and CBond), just to let them know who was in charge. It was a well earned W for the reigning Tier 4 everything.
While we didn’t get the win, we did have a few stand-out plays on defense that shouldn’t go unrecognized.
- In the Reapers half of the first inning, Scot MacLean tried scoring on a fly ball to center, but Mark Bond was able to gun him out at the plate (something the Reapers did 3 times to us last game). It was a beautiful inning ending sequence.
- In the 3rd inning, with the bases loaded and 2 outs, Ellingham almost helped his cause with a base hit up the middle that would’ve scored 2, but Eric White mashed the triangle button and made the leaping catch to save a couple runs.
- In the 5th, Dave Rotari scooped a hard come-backer to the mound (it wasn’t nearly as hard as Josh’s liner from last game), but it was good. Mark Mcintyre was so impressed he walked back to the dugout before VOMR even made a move to throw him out at 1st. Mark Bond took note of the other Mark’s confidence that an error wasn’t going to be made to make him look foolish.
Finally, the SweatSox would like to thank the NCBL Commissioner, the OPS Committee, and the Umpires for sending Gary Duke to umpire our game behind the plate. In the last SweatSox-Reapers game, Craig Cornell was ejected for being too lippy with the umps, so this time the League sent the big guns to keep the league Treasurer in cheque (see what I did there?). There were no ejections. Craig behaved.
Final SweatSox vs Reapers Notes/Thoughts:
- Doug played. But Craig paid.
- Our toilets can confirm it was an epic spread.
- It’s Korissa with a K, and Cory with a C.
- Josh appreciates effort, unless it’s about the defense, in which case it’s all about results.
- Jaspreet’s wing is hot and tender.
- Eric claimed Justine wanted the HR ball, Justine says she was dragged there at gunpoint.
- Larry needs a groin rub, he must not get showers for Lanark glory.
- CTE is forever.
- Kent could go for some extra taters, and pulled pork sliders, and ribs, and everything else.
- Jaspreet’s wing is now hella bruised, with minor discomfort.
- Kent’s groin isn’t too pleased.
- Cory saved the theoretical 42069th plastic bottle from waste. He fuckin did it.
- The Coyotes are 4-5 players short for their next game. I suppose it could be worse, they could be 8-9 players short.
- The big dogs show up for the big games!
- There was an AFB, and there is currently an ACF, but there is no AC.
- Since when does the weather move from top right to bottom left?
- Strangely, Eric has trouble getting it loose when it’s wet.
- The starting pitcher didn’t starting pitch. The center fielder didn’t center field. And the second baseman didn’t second base.
- Cop could be building a second basement too.
- My selective hearing is on point.
- This fucking guy.
- Lett really liked his “loot bag beer” from Eric’s party.
- Josh is no bullpen catcher.
- I asked, but nobody wanted to drive me to my car.
- Josh did not want to try Cop’s hammock chair.
- Nobody on our team has just 1 umbrella. We either have 0, or multiple.
- Liddy took off before his ass could be kicked, by me. Wise move.
- There may have been a late night Texan sighting in Blossom Park.
- Those weren’t hot wings, they were extra medium.
- Cory is a pussy.
- You don’t ever want to be stuck in the Z crossfire.
- USA losing to the Czech Republic in the WJC quarterfinals is the most embarrassing game for USA hockey since a 12-1 loss to Iceland at the 1994 Junior Goodwill Games in Los Angeles.
