NEPEAN– On a sun-drenched Mother’s Day at the Nepean Sportsplex, the SweatSox finally found their groove — and the win column — in spectacular fashion, riding a historic pitching performance from Eric White to a dominant 14-2 victory over the Bats.
In a game hyped as a battle for last place in the tier, with both teams entering the contest winless at 0-1, it was the SweatSox who seized control early and never let go, thanks in large part to White’s electric arm. The right-hander threw a complete game no-hitter, striking out 15 Bats while allowing two unearned runs.
“Strikeouts are nice, but I was just trying to throw strikes and let the defense work behind me,” said a humble White postgame. “Then I realized I had 15 strikeouts and maybe didn’t let the defense work that much.”
While it marked the first Opening Week no-hitter for the SweatSox since Cory Bond and Josh Ramage teamed up for one in 2010, the team was quick to keep things in perspective.
“Let’s be clear,” said starting center fielder Kent Johnston. “A combined no-hitter is way more impressive. It takes teamwork. This was just one guy doing it all himself.”
Still, White’s gem was only part of the story.
The turning point came in the top of the fourth, with the SweatSox nursing a slim 1-0 lead. After putting runners on first and second with nobody out, Geoff Nolan squared to bunt but was instead hit squarely in the… dick.
“I was just trying to move the runners over,” said Nolan. “Didn’t think I’d be sacrificing my future children to do it.”
What followed was a seven-run rally that broke the game wide open. The Bats never recovered.
Offensively, the SweatSox were led by Nick Henderson, who returned from a sabbatical in Amsterdam looking every bit like a man who’d found his swing in the canals. Henderson went 3-for-4 (more or less) with 3 RBI and was named Offensive Player of the Game.
“It’s amazing what a few Dutch pancakes and a couple mystery brownies will do for your timing,” Henderson joked.
There was no shortage of support at the plate. Mark Bond, Mike Pignat, Eric White, and Trevor Williams each chipped in two hits, Phil Leduc delivered a clutch 2-run single during the fourth-inning explosion, and Craig Cornell finally made use of all the unsolicited hitting advice he’s received, smacking a double down the line in the 7th.
Defensively, credit went to everyone who actually touched the ball. With White mowing down 15, there were few chances to shine, but Jaspreet Sanghra, Josh Ramage, Nick Henderson, Trevor Williams, and Mark Bond (x2) made the most of their rare non-strikeout opportunities.
In a new postgame tradition, Ramage was honoured with the inaugural “Geoff Nolan Swolen Dickhead of the Game” award — not for valor, but for getting picked off at second after wandering too far off the base. At least he got those extra steps in! ABS.
“I thought I was fast like Jaspreet now,” Ramage said sheepishly. “Turns out, I am not.”
For the Bats, it was a long day at the office. Starter Matteo Panetta took the loss after allowing eight runs in 3.1 innings. Reliever Nathan Nykilchyk fared little better, giving up six more over the final 3.2 frames. The lone bright spot was Gio Fata, who stood alone as the only Bat who didn’t strike out.
The SweatSox, now 1-1, look to build momentum Wednesday night at Trillium against the Lumberjacks. First pitch is set for 8:30pm.
Final SweatSox vs Bats Notes/Thoughts:
- New Guy Nolan finally showed up. I, Shaun Keay, did not.
- 2007 was the Golden Age of Tier 2 Pitching: Beaupre, CBond, Brooks, Dorrington, Elliott, Gauthier, Morozuk, Steffler, etc.
- 69% of managing is schmoozing, the other 14% is lineup creation.
- There’s nothing Craig respects more than a 9-man batting lineup.
- It didn’t take Andrew long to forget Eric’s pitch call sequences.
- When Kent says 2 at-bats then out, he means 2 at-bats then out. Unless they’re both jacks.
- My family and I did not dine at the War Museum tonight.
- Baseball in the groin! Baseball in the groin!
- It’s okay to run home on a wild pitch up 8 in the 4th.
- Nick is still on Amsterdam time.
- When Geoff’s batting gloves come off mid at-bat, shit is about to get real.
- Craig will swing on a 3-0 count if he damn well pleases.
- Thanks to YouTube, Andrew now knows how to frame, and how to smack your brother in the face.
- The second point of contact always gets it worse.
- If there is a hole in your underwear, do you throw it out right away? Depends on where the hole is.
- Always make sure the reverse beep in your golf cart is working before smashing the gas pedal.
- A whitecap is a small wave with a foamy crest.
- A belated R.I.P. to Doctor Weiss.
- Mike is changing buildings, but not far enough to solve his winter parking lot entrance/exit issues.
- Trains are fun, when they work.
