Ogilvie, ON- The SweatSox scored early and often Sunday night at Trillium, stringing together runs in five straight innings and finally solving a decades-long puzzle: defeating the legendary Mike Bayley. The 9-6 win over the Rockets improves the ‘Sox to 6-4 on the season, while the Rockets drop to 5-4-2.
The story heading into the game wasn’t just the standings. It was The Bay. The SweatSox have struggled against him for years—four decades’ worth, in fact. But this time, the tide turned. A 3-run fourth-inning T-Bills special gave the ‘Sox the lead for good, and they never looked back.
“I’m happy for them, really,” said Bayley, the wily vet who has haunted the SweatSox since dial-up internet. “They finally got their win against me. But truth is—I’ve got my 50th birthday bash coming up in Vegas later this year, and I needed a little walking-around money. So I fired up my “The Score” App, dropped my whole bankroll on the SweatSox, and took a dive. Payout came in before I even hit the post-game handshake line. Made a killing.”
Unfortunately for the ‘Sox, word of Bayley’s start led them to bet their entire emergency fund against themselves… “He got us again,” said Phil Leduc. “Guy’s unbeatable—even when we win.”
The key moment of this monumental upset came in the bottom of the second, when the Sox, trailing 2-0, badly needed a spark. Cory Bond dropped a surprise sac bunt that moved runners into scoring position, directly leading to our first run (a Leduc RBI single), and a newfound confidence.
“It was either drop a bunt or strike out,” CBond said after the game. “So I dropped the bunt.”
The bats stayed hot from there. Craig Cornell and Larry Pawelek both went 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Josh Ramage and Kent Johnston each chipped in with a pair of hits too. But the loudest knock belonged to Trevor Williams, whose two-out, two-strike, two-run double in the fourth gave the SweatSox the lead for good.
“Trevor’s double was clutch,” said manager Cory Bond. “Like, actual clutch. Not just the kind you say because you have to.”
Starter Josh Ramage picked up the win, his third of the year, after gutting out 4 innings of 7-hit, 4-run ball, striking out 2 and walking just one. Eric White locked it down with 3 innings of relief, punching out five and earning his first save of the season.
“…And that’s what happens when you stick to the game-plan,” Ramage said after the game.
Kent Johnston was one again our standout on defense, tracking down 3 fly balls in mini center field—but left dreaming of more.
“I felt so helpless watching those two HR’s drop just over the fence, I would’ve caught them both anywhere else” said Johnston. “But you can’t blame the short porch for those—you have to blame the pitcher, Josh. His fault 100%.”
Meanwhile, Jaspreet Sanghra led the infield with four assists and a putout at second base. “I can still be better,” he said. “If I could just jump a little higher, I would’ve caught that one liner tonight—and maybe saved Josh from his obvious error at Allen last week too.”
Every team has a weak link, and on Sunday, it was a family affair. Cory and Mark Bond combined to go 0-for-6 with all 3 of the team’s strikeouts. No errors though!
“I hate baseball,” Mark said simply after the game.
Despite the loss, the Rockets had their moments. Brad Richardson was solid in 3+ innings of relief, and Max Mueller and Randy Upshall had two hits each. One of Randy’s hits was the one of two Rocket bombs surrendered by Josh Ramage.
“I actually considered going to Tier 2 and playing with the Padres just to avoid facing Ramage four times a year,” said Upshall. “So to square one up and finally take him deep—it felt extra special.”
The big swing of the night, though, belonged to Nick Lenardon. With a three-hit game, including a metaphorically “mammoth” shot, Lenardon set an NCBL record with his 57th 56th career home run.
“There’s no team I’d rather set this record against than the SweatSox,” said Lenardon. “They’ve always played hard, and I’ve got nothing but respect for them.”
The only downside to an otherwise sunny day was Rockets manager Tom T. Toll planting himself in right field for most of the night—about as far from the SweatSox bench as humanly possible—making it tough to catch his legendary quips. After the game, he vowed to fix that:
“Next time, I’m at third base. You guys will hear every chirp, every comment, loud and clear. Promise.”
The SweatSox return to action Wednesday night at Trillium against the orange-clad Lumberjacks. First pitch set for 8:30pm. Bring your betting apps.
Final SweatSox vs Rockets Notes/Thoughts:
- After reviewing the tape, Mark was indeed credited with a 5th error during the Hyjinx of our last game. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
- Eric is so mentally drained, I bet you could easily convince him to hit the opposite way on a tee box.
- You can’t get back on the horse if the horse is dead, or if the horse just finished a Costco-sized can of Beef-a-reeno.
- It’s pouring at Oakmont, and knowing Trillium it could be at risk too.
- We’re always giving Bayley love, but the whole Rockets roster are beauties too.
- There was no jump shot between 2nd and 3rd on either of the Rockets’ jacks.
- It is possible to score a few runs off Bayley, but don’t even try to wipe that big smile off his face. Can’t be done.
- Carbo knows how to leave it up and leave it down, but was a bit confused about what to do when it’s right down the cock.
- Is Craig’s “Fuck Bunting” the new “Down 5”?
- Jas still needs a few more inches on his vertical to maximize his 2nd base efficiency.
- That PDG dude is pretty damn good.
- Is it striking out the side when you have 3 strikeouts in an inning, but there’s also a groundout and a fly-out?
- Umpires are not permitted to socialize with players after a game. But if we just so happen to be circled up near their car and a positive conversation just happens to take place, that’s probably okay.
- Loblaws peanuts are not as good as Food Basics peanuts.
- By only smoking half cigarettes, Larry has doubled the amount of time he has until he gets cancer.
- Craig was no longer allowed to award the A&W to himself so he gave it to Josh, so he could give it to Trevor. We still don’t know where the Cauldron of Hate is, nor the BBO.
- Kent drinks cat poop coffee.
- You’re probably going to want to wash and sanitize anything Larry gives you, including but not limited to: speedos, toonies, beers, cigarettes, and especially handshakes.
- The key to competitive rock skipping is a corked rock.
- Kent has now qualified for the playoffs.
- Trevor still holds the Irish Hills course record: 18.
- It’s never too early to be practicing wrestling moves on your sibling. I recommend submission holds over piledrives for the youngsters though.
- Josh was not thrilled with the service he received at Chuck’s. If it wasn’t Sofie’s first day, they were getting another scathing Google Review.
- I, Shaun Keay, am a Blister Bitch.
- Association comes at the end of pro soccer, basketball, and golf, but at the beginning of tennis.
