“Apparently Eric Was Bunting Before It Was Cool”

Looking to start a season 4-0 for the first time in franchise history, the SweatSox travelled to Winchester last Thursday to face our shorthanded longtime rivals the Winchester Sox. We knew we had the psychological advantage when it was announced that Winchester Head Coach Andre Robidoux would miss the game because he was “making love in the Bahamas”, but there was still a game to be played on the field.

Winchester took a first inning lead after a pair of hits, capped by a Nik Paas ground rule double, led to a Jordan Hardcourt run. The SweatSox tied it up in the 3rd when Marc Lett hit his first HR since sometime during the 2013 calendar year (I can’t remember exactly when), a solo shot to “deep” right center. An inning later, we took the lead after scoring 4 runs, highlighted by a bases-loaded two run double from Cory Bond, who just missed recording an opposite field Winchester grand slam. The SweatSox added 2 more runs in the 7th, thanks to a two run single from yours truly, I, Shaun Keay.

Winchester manager Adrian Delorey predicted the SweatSox would start Mark Dorrington, Assistant Coach Chris Hart thought we’d throw John Groves (as a thank you for his vote to keep the SweatSox in Tier 2), Mark Bond thought we’d start Mark Bond, and I thought we’d throw Ross Hughes. Our Authority listens to nobody, and instead gave Eric White his first start of the 2015 season.

Much like Superman who gets his powers from Earth’s yellow sun, we’ve recently learned that The Janitor gets his strength from a very specific yellow fluid, a substance he must have been in excess of last Thursday night…

White pitched the first SweatSox complete game of the season, walked 1 batter, struck out 9, and gave up just 3 hits, all of which may have been caught had we had a true OF lineup. Note: Yes, Kent Johnston is still out with a broken left pinky. Eric got better as the game went on, retiring the final 11 Winchester Sox in order, striking out 7 of the final 9 outs. THC remains undefeated in Winchester, and earned the 2004 A&W Kamloops International Baseball Game MVP Award. SweatSox win 7-1, Winchester loses their first game of the season, Winchester loses twice last week:

@winchestersox kinda like the score when we beat you in the finals 6 years ago. #stuckindiv2

— Outlaws Baseball (@ottawaoutlaws) May 21, 2015

Honourable Mentions for the A&W:

Mark Stinson – 2 hits (including a trot to 1st)
Shaun Keay – 2 hits, 2 RBI
Cory Bond – 2 hits, 2 doubles, 2 RBI
Marc Lett – HR

Armando Navarro missed the game, which is always bad news for the SweatSox that do play when he’s not there. Historically, when Army misses a game, somebody gets hurt. We had a few close calls in Winchester, Eric took a line drive off his leg; and Cory ran into the outfield wall while making what at least one outfielder called a HR robbing catch. GLE also rolled an ankle talking about the catch. Everyone survived.

Broment of the Day: Craig Cornell, John Groves, and Neal Phadnis break the unwritten “umps fraternizing with players after the game” rule, and share a beverage while discussing amongst other things, my greatness.

SweatSox 7. Winchester 1. Final.

WP- White (1-0)
LP- Clarke

HR- Lett

SweatSox are 4-0 for the first time ever.http://t.co/kH7wcKmQnj

— SweatSox (@SweatSox) May 22, 2015

The Après Baseball Hyjinx was spent discussing parking lot etiquette, but “at least she was hot”:

Final SweatSox vs Winchester Notes/Thoughts:

With a 1st inning strikeout, Craig Cornell surpassed Martin Pachner for 6th on the all-time K list.
With a 3rd inning HR, Marc Lett surpassed Craig Cornell for 4th on the all-time HR list.
With a 4th inning double, Cory Bond recorded his 200th career hit, tying Kent Johnston for 3rd on the all-time H list.
For the 2nd time in 2 days, a tow truck came after Josh Ramage. What, or who is in his trunk?
Ross Hughes didn’t make the game because he said he was working, we went to his work, he was not there.
Mrs. Eric is our new sponsorship manager.
Breakfast in a blender isn’t actually in a blender, nor served in a cup
We ate, but Mark Stinson dined with a nice five-course meal.
I still don’t know how Snooker works.