SPORTSPLEX — July 31 — In a matchup that looked daunting on paper, the SweatSox flipped the script in emphatic fashion Thursday night, erupting for 22 runs in a 22-3 dismantling of the first-place Gladiators.
Entering the night at 10-8 against a 15-5-1 Gladiators squad, the SweatSox wasted no time setting the tone against starter Paul Septimo — a pitcher the club has long had its eye on. The visiting side sent a message early, hanging six runs in the opening frame, highlighted by a Cory Bond two-run single to right.
Septimo, unfazed despite the early barrage, kept his focus personal. “I don’t really care about wins and losses,” he said afterward. “I just want to strike out Cory at least once in my career. Didn’t happen today… but hopefully next time.”
The teams traded runs over the next few innings, with the Gladiators chipping away and the SweatSox responding to maintain a 9-3 advantage heading into the fifth. That’s when the game turned from decisive to historic.
The SweatSox sent 19 batters to the plate in a jaw-dropping fifth inning, scoring the first 10 hitters and piling up 13 runs in total to put the contest out of reach. The offensive avalanche buried any hopes of a Gladiators comeback and cemented one of the most dominant innings in team lore.
“We couldn’t let them hang around,” said player-manager Cory Bond. “That’s a very capable team over there — they can put up a crooked inning themselves in a hurry. We wanted to shut the door completely.”
The inning grew so lopsided that, in an unusual move to beat the league’s drop-dead time, Trevor Williams and Phil Leduc were asked to record automatic outs to end the frame — a decision that came with a public apology from their Manager.
Williams shrugged it off. “No big deal at all. We’re just trying to do what’s best for the team,” he said.
Leduc echoed the sentiment. “Stats don’t matter in that spot. It’s about getting the win and keeping things moving. Team comes first, always.”
On the mound, Eric White delivered another steady performance, tossing a five-inning complete game. The right-hander scattered nine hits and allowed three runs while striking out five and walking one.
“It feels good to beat the first-place team,” White said. “Hopefully we get another shot at them when it really matters in the playoffs.”
Offensively, Mike Pignat led the charge with a near-perfect night at the plate, collecting three hits and two walks in five plate appearances while driving in four runs and scoring four times. Josh Ramage provided strong support out of the cleanup spot, going 3-for-4 with a walk in an impressive showing.
For the Gladiators, shortstop Santiago Vega stood out despite the loss, flashing the leather with four difficult assists and ripping a hard-hit triple that led to one of his club’s three runs.
The win etched the SweatSox into the record book. Their 22 runs mark the second-highest total in team history, trailing only a 23-run outburst against the Winchester Sox in 2007. The 19-run margin stands as the largest victory in franchise history — and, interestingly, the second-largest differential overall, behind only a 20-run loss (22-2) to the Rockets in 2001.
With momentum firmly on their side, the SweatSox now turn our attention to Wednesday night’s matchup at Southgate against the Sandbaggers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m.
Final SweatSox vs Gladiators Notes/Thoughts:
- Steve Brown makes history with the first ever “voice note” in the team chat, where he may or may not have been strangling a goat.
- If the walks are 15 on one side and 1 on the other, and both sides think the umpire is shit, we might have a problem.
- Has anyone done a wellness check on Josh since that beer? He was last seen streaking through the quad.
- Kent never knows who we’re playing until he shows up at the field.
- The only thing worse than sitting is being DH’d for at 3rd base.
- You’re only as good as your last AB.
#WONTHEHYJINX