Trillium, Ontario- The SweatSox let a 4-run lead slip through their fingers on Wednesday night, falling 12-8 to the short-handed but surging Lumberjacks at Trillium Park. With the win, the Lumberjacks claimed the regular season series 2-1, while improving their record to 5-4-1. The SweatSox drop to 6-5 on the year.
Things started promisingly enough for the visiting Sox. A four-run outburst in the top of the third — highlighted by a three-run homerun from Mattingly Romanin — had the squad in full control, but the game unraveled quickly and dramatically in the bottom half.
The Lumberjacks answered back with a series of seeing-eye singles before veteran Scott Adams laced a two-run single up the middle to tie the game. Two plays earlier, SweatSox third baseman Craig Cornell took a knee with a hamstring injury and was forced out for the rest of the game — a turning point that disrupted both the lineup card and the team’s rhythm.
“We had all the momentum,” said SweatSox manager Cory Bond. “But when Craig went down, we lost some structure out there. It got away from us fast.”
From there, the Lumberjacks seized momentum and never looked back. They outscored the SweatSox 8-4 over the final four innings, with bombs from Jason Kiser and Riley Maude in the sixth serving as the knockout punches. That same inning, JD Marks delivered a defensive gem, throwing out SweatSox speedster Nick Henderson at the plate on a would-be sac fly that would’ve brought the Sox within 1.
In the 7th, with the Sox threatening one last time, reliever Tyas Montgomery needed just one pitch to induce a game-ending double play.
“One pitch. One grounder. One double play. Easiest save I’ll ever have,” Montgomery said. “I should close more often.”
The bullpen heroics followed a gritty start from Nick Murray, who not only kept the SweatSox hitters off-balance for three solid innings on the mound but also led all batters with three hits of his own.
“I wasn’t even told I was starting until the game had already started,” Murray laughed after the game. “No time to overthink it or get nervous—I just grabbed the ball and went to work.”
It was a particularly special night for honorary Lumberjacks captain Phil Dugas, who recorded his first ever win as manager.
“I’ve been chasing that W for a while,” Dugas said. “To finally get it against a team like the SweatSox? Couldn’t ask for a better feeling.”
Despite the loss, the SweatSox offense had its moments — none bigger than the return of their 2024 Rookie of the Year Mattingly Romanin. After grounding into a double play in his first at-bat, Romanin rebounded with two hits, including a “towering” home run, 4 RBI, two runs scored, and even drew an intentional walk in the late innings.
“You don’t intentionally walk someone when you’re up 7,” said acting Lumberjacks GM Corey Valois, shaking his head postgame. “Unless that someone’s name is Mattingly Romanin. Guy’s a menace.”
Mark Bond chipped in with two hits of his own, including a stand-up double that quickly became a slide-and-scuff when he realized standing up was… optimistic.
“Those white shoes will never be the same,” Andrew Hierlihy muttered in the dugout.
Defensively, right fielder Trevor Williams turned heads with two absolute darts to record outfield assists, earning himself Defensive Player of the Game honors. But his magic ran out in the sixth when manager Cory Bond unceremoniously pulled him from the game.
“Two outfield assists is awesome,” Bond said. “But nobody gets three. That’s just science. Easy call on that one.”
Williams wasn’t exactly thrilled: “Would’ve been nice to at least tell me I was getting yanked before I ran all the way back out there. Bit of a cardio waste.”
On the mound, Eric White gave the Sox five hard-fought innings against the high-octane Lumberjacks offense, allowing 4 earned runs while striking out 4. Ramage’s lone inning of work was less kind, surrendering two longballs and four earned runs.
The SweatSox will look to rebound Sunday night at Kinsmen Field in their first-ever matchup against the Sandbaggers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00pm. Bring the hydration—it’s gonna be a scorcher.
Final SweatSox vs Lumberjacks Notes/Thoughts:
- If Trevor is competing in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, then it’s no longer a contest, it’s just the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating.
- Josh was much happier when Kent was shoving meat down his throat.
- Cory always shines brightest when the cameras are on.
- The only thing better than hydration is hydration by chewing.
- Paul Septimo did end up coming to Tier 3, just not the Tier 3 team we wanted.
- In a blind soda lineup, Josh will always be able to pick out the regular Coke, so he can throw it out.
- It’s not how many you win, it’s how many you show up for.
- The secret to Josh’s success is “Super Green Tea”.
- This was our final Trillium game of the year, unless Billy screws us with a future rainout make-up, or we play the Rockets in the playoffs.
- You can’t read the scouting reports if you don’t know who’s pitching until batter up is called.
- If you call time twice, you’re gonna get HBP.
- Cory and Nick have now qualified for the playoffs. Next up: Geoff Nolan (1), then Mattingly (5).
- Nick came through with some Hot & Ready’s, still no cheeseburgers though.
- You never piss on your own car.
- Kermit was mad.
- Where was George tonight?
#WONTHEHYJINX