By Anik Archambault, BROdude Energy Sports Correspondent
AYLMER, QC — On a picturesque Sunday evening at Parc Allen, the SweatSox stormed Weird Aylmer and walked away with a dominant 15-4 mercy-rule victory over the hometown Blueberry Bulldogs, in what was the first-ever meeting between the two franchises.
“Blueberries are unbelievable” -Trevor Williams
The Sox crossed the provincial border for their first game at Parc Allen since 2017 and, in true responsible fashion, confirmed their safe arrival with a quick call home to Mom and Dad. With 69 bums in seats—the highest attendance of the year—the scene was set for a historic matchup between the long-tenured SweatSox (est. 1981, NCBL OG’s) and the young, eager Blueberry Bulldogs, recently promoted from the North Ottawa Baseball League Organization (aka NOBLO) ranks.
It didn’t take long for the SweatSox to establish dominance. After going up 5-goose in the top of the 1st inning, highlighted by a clutch 2-run double from Phil Leduc in front of his old “unnamed” squad, they never looked back. That early jolt gave starter Eric White all the runway he needed to settle in and carve up the Bulldog lineup.
“I came to the field with a printed-out plan in a yellow duotang,” said Leduc postgame. “All I had to do was execute. Mission accomplished.”
“Settle down” -Trevor Williams
White, making his fourth start of the year, went the distance in the five-inning tilt, surrendering 4 runs on 9 hits with 6 strikeouts and a lone walk. The crafty righty improved to 3-1 on the season, despite working from the awkward, spike-less movable mound that has become Parc Allen’s sloppy signature.
“I’ve officially given my love to the SweatSox this season—my time, my arm, my heart—and it’s finally starting to show up in the win column,” said White. “When the boys give you five runs in the first, all you’ve gotta do is go out there and shove. And that’s what I did.”
“Eric is unbelievable” -Trevor Williams
The offensive sparkplug of the night was none other than player/manager Cory Bond, who stepped in after Shaun Keay was scratched from the lineup due to fatigue sustained from a “tuggie on a tube,” which he reportedly ranked above his infamous “Wasaga Beach squeezer.”
“I’ll always find a way to contribute,” said Bond, who led the Sox with 2 doubles and 3 runs scored. “I’ll always go where I’m needed.”
“Cory is unbelievable” -Trevor Williams
Larry Pawelek notched a team-high 3* hits, while Mike Pignat, Josh Ramage, Craig Cornell, and Trevor Williams each added two knocks in the team’s highest-scoring game of the season.
“Larry is unbelievable” -Trevor Williams
On the defensive side, Nick Henderson earned Player of the Game honors for his steady presence at shortstop, recording three putouts and an assist, including an early inning ending, rally-killing, 6-3 DP.
“I always go till I can’t go no more,” said Henderson after the game.
“Nick is unbelievable” -Trevor Williams
The same couldn’t quite be said for Craig Cornell, who was charged with a key error at 3rd in his only defensive attempt that easily could’ve cost us our 10-run lead at the time.
“I was gassed, man. I ran like 270 feet from 1st to home in the first inning,” said Cornell. “But you can never let them know you’re hurt.”
“Settle down” -Trevor Williams
The Blueberry Bulldogs showed flashes of potential, with Cedric Morrissette and Willem Nadon each recording a pair of hits. Starter Philippe “2-Balk” Rollin took the loss after giving up 10 runs in 2+ innings of work. One of the four two Apeldoorns C. Blake’s in the Bulldogs lineup tossed the final three frames and held the fort respectably, giving up just 3 earned, and caught a one-out bases loaded liner that could’ve been a quadruple play in some other 4-out baseball universe. Here, it was just a double play.
Despite the blowout, the young Blueberry Bulldogs were upbeat, brimming with positivity—a trait not appreciated by all.
“They need to give their balls a tug and come back much stronger than that,” said veteran SweatSox slugger Josh Ramage, who had 2 hits and 1 run of his own. “Show me someone who can handle losing and I’ll show you a loser. You gotta love winning. Hate losing. If I was on this Blueberry Bulldogs team, I’d wanna kill myself. No really—I’d lie in bed at night thinking, ‘Maybe I shouldn’t wake up,’ because at least then, I wouldn’t be a fucking loser.”
“Settle down” -Trevor Williams
When asked about the Blueberry Bulldogs’ future, manager Chad Lambert kept it simple: “No excuses. This team will never lose again.”
Unfortunately, several SweatSox regulars missed the Aylmer adventure. The team sends its best wishes to the Teenage Mutant Injured Turtles: Mark Bond, Andrew Hierlihy, Kent Johnston, and Geoff Nolan—each is expected to be sidelined 4 to 6.
“Turtles are unbelievable” -Trevor Williams
“Are they injured, or are they hurt?” mused Ramage, clearly questioning their commitment to the grind.
NEXT UP: The SweatSox (now 4-4) head back to the sketchy “diamond” at Southgate this Wednesday night for an Opening Day rematch against the Barons. First pitch is at 6:10pm.
Asked about the SweatSox chances in this upcoming senior whaleshit baseball game: “If you can’t win,” said Ramage, “don’t play.”
“Settle down” -Trevor Williams
Final SweatSox vs Bulldogs Notes/Thoughts:
- It’s always raining somewhere.
- Eating Wendy is always a pregame favorite.
- Jas was crying like a baby during that beautiful rendition of the Ontario Provincial Anthem.
- The starting pitchers preferred: 1 tuck, and 1 no-tuck, and also 1 watch, and 1 no-watch.
- Nick set the tone with a leadoff single in the top of the 1st.
- Eric got so confused with the Allen shoe situation he tried to go up to bat without a helmet.
- Josh makes 1 good play in the outfield at the Stadium, and all of a sudden he’s our starting right fielder? So dumb.
- We almost had a pitching coach vs pitching coach scrap.
- Jas needs to work on his vertical.
- Never make a substitution until you absolutely have to.
- In a fight you never drop your bat, use it as a weapon.
- Would you rather a cooler of beer, a cooler of cheeseburger, or a cooler of Pitter Patter Peppi Panini after a game?
- Pinks is closed, but the Brass Rail is still open.
- The Aylmer Bylaw showed up after receiving a complaint of a sexual nature: not to worry though, it was just a helicopter.
“Helicopters are unbelievable” -Trevor Williams
#WONTHEHYJINX