Charlie Rogers Place, ON– History was made Friday night at Kinsmen Field, but not in the way the SweatSox hoped, as they dropped their first-ever matchup against the undefeated Gladiators by a score of 8–2. The loss drops the SweatSox to 2–3 on the season, while the Gladiators continue their flawless start, improving to 4–0.
The game, played under cold, wet conditions, saw the visiting Gladiators methodically build an early lead, scoring runs in the 1st, 3rd, and 5th innings before delivering a decisive four-run knockout blow in the 6th. The SweatSox briefly made things interesting with a two-run rally in the bottom of the 5th, but their comeback was short-lived.
The turning point came not at the plate, but in the field. With seven of the nine SweatSox defensive starters playing out of position, the home side struggled mightily, committing six errors that led to five unearned runs.
“It’s frustrating,” said starting pitcher Josh Ramage, who labored through five plus innings on the mound. “I just wish more people were committed to the team, especially on nights when I start. It’s tough to go out there and give everything when we’re never at full strength.”
Despite the adversity, Ramage showed his trademark grit, allowing just three earned runs on 10 hits, walking two, and striking out four in his five innings of work. Longtime veteran Cory Bond pitched a clean sixth inning in relief, extending his team record to 22 consecutive seasons with at least one inning pitched for the SweatSox.
“I’m just glad I got my yearly inning out of the way early,” Bond joked postgame. “Now I can fully focus on managing the rest of the season without that hanging over me.”
Offensively, the SweatSox were led by left fielder Mike Pignat, who thrived in the soggy conditions. Pignat went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, including a double, and also set a personal career high with four catches and no drops in left field.
“I always perform my best when things are wet,” said Pignat, who was named both the team’s Offensive and Defensive Player of the Game and was awarded the prestigious 2004 A&W Kamloops International Baseball Game MVP Award.
Additional offensive contributions came from Ramage, who had two hits (one courtesy of a wicked hawp), as well as RBI singles by Nick Henderson and Larry Pawelek.
On the Gladiators side, starting pitcher Brad Rintoul notched the win, going 5.1 innings while scattering seven hits, two runs, and four walks with six strikeouts. Santiago Vega impressed both at shortstop and on the mound, recording two assists and two putouts before closing out the game by extinguishing a potential SweatSox rally in the final inning. Offensively, Jonathan Tolentino led the charge with three hits and two RBI.
After the game, Gladiators manager Yuri Enriquez praised the opposition: “We’ve got a lot of respect for the SweatSox. They’ve been around a long time, and it’s an honor to share the field with a team of that quality. We’re proud to come out on top in our first meeting with them.”
The SweatSox won’t have much time to dwell on the loss. They return to action Monday evening at the Stadium against the Coyotes. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 pm.
Final SweatSox vs Gladiators Notes/Thoughts:
- Skinny Josh made a play at 3B against the Lynx that Fat Josh never would’ve made. Apologies for not mentioning it sooner.
- Trevor works with a Moop.
- After his Player of the Week win, Eric has earned a night off.
- Phil is faster than his GPS.
- If you try to steal third, and you get a really bad jump, Andrew’s gonna get you.
- Jas doesn’t want Chuck, he just wants to learn about Chuck.
- Lil’ Phil is still waiting for his foul ball payday from Larry.
- The problem with a beer run is the running.
- We got a Semi Pro and Baseketball reference on the same night!
- Good coaches don’t ever whisper.
- Trevor backwards is Rovert.
- Our team peanuts are imported from Virginia.
- A balk is a dead ball because every balk call leads to an argument.
- Andrew, Mike, and Larry look like the 3 NES Ice Hockey characters.
- The Goldeneye unlimited ammo code is: L + Left C, L + R + Right, Right C, Left C, R + Left, L + Down C, L + R + Left, L + R + Down C, L + Up, Hold Right C.
- We all should be parking at 45 degree angles if we want to hit better.
- Larry in a thong is locked into all of our spank banks.
- Trevor is playing hockey Sunday night as his marathon cool-down.
- Nick’s socks are circumcised.
- For the final time: I, Shaun Keay, do all the SweatSox socials and blog posts.
#WONTHEHYJINX