Gloucester High School – The SweatSox made it two wins in as many games Monday night, defeating the Siempre Tequila Barons 8-2 at Trillium Park behind a dominant pitching debut from Ron Martelle and a four-run performance from shortstop Nick Henderson.
Coming off an opening day win over the Lumberjacks, the SweatSox improved to 2-0 on the young season, while the Barons dropped to 0-2 following their opening loss to the Bulldogs.
The visitors wasted little time getting rolling offensively. Henderson opened the game with a leadoff double before Josh Ramage drove him home with an RBI single to give the SweatSox an early 1-0 lead. The offence kept coming in waves, with two more runs in the second, three in the fourth, and another pair in the sixth to steadily pull away from the Barons.
Henderson was everywhere offensively, finishing with two doubles and four runs scored, while Ramage added two hits and three RBI in another strong showing at the plate.
“That’s what happens when you put me in the lineup,” said Josh Ramage after his first game of at bats this season. “I’m not saying I’m the engine that makes this whole thing go, but I’m also not not saying it. The numbers speak for themselves.”
On the mound, Martelle made an immediate impression in his SweatSox pitching debut. The veteran right-hander tossed five strong innings, allowing just three hits and one earned run while striking out five without issuing a walk.
“I’m just really thankful for the opportunity,” said Martelle after the game. “This is a fantastic group of guys and I wanted to come in and do whatever I could to help. I’m glad I was able to produce and give the team a chance to win.”
Player-manager Cory Bond handled the final two innings, punching out four hitters to slam the door shut.
“I just want to find a way to contribute,” Bond said with a smile. “Whether it’s on the bench, in the field, or on the bump, I’m happy as long as I’m helping the boys out.”
The turning point came in the fifth inning when the Barons appeared ready to climb back into the game. A pair of SweatSox defensive miscues helped the home side load the bases and cut the deficit to four runs, threatening to completely swing the momentum.
Instead, Henderson delivered the defensive play of the night.
Racing back into shallow left field, the shortstop stumbled while tracking a blooper, somehow making a falling catch from his backside to end the inning and strand all three runners.
“That was our chance right there,” said Barons manager Josh Primeau during his post-game presser. “You get the bases loaded against a good team, you’ve got to cash in. We just couldn’t get the clutch hit we needed. Honestly, not having James Clouthier here hurt us too. Somehow that guy always turns into Babe Ruth against the SweatSox whenever anyone other than Josh Ramage is pitching. We missed that tonight”
The SweatSox offence also received a memorable contribution from Mike Pignat, who — after more than a decade of loudly calling his shot before seemingly every at-bat — finally delivered on the promise Monday night with a “towering” two-run homer to straightaway center field — the shortest part of Trillium Park.
“They don’t ask how far, they ask how many,” said Mike Pignat after the game. “And now I have one.”
Pignat’s blast nearly plated three runs, but Kent Johnston had been picked off moments earlier after getting caught up in an animated conversation with Barons first baseman Kaghlen Roberts.
According to sources, Roberts had been telling Johnston about how the Barons allegedly found their new relief pitcher through Facebook — though not through the NCBL baseball page, but rather an erotic meetup group.
Moments later, Johnston was gone.
Phil Leduc earlier suffered a similar fate on the basepaths.
“I’ll do or say whatever I need to get the out,” laughed Kaghlen Roberts. “If I’ve got to tell stories, I’ll tell stories. If I’ve got to dive around like a maniac, I’ll do that too.”
Roberts certainly backed up the trash talk defensively, making two outstanding diving catches at first base as part of an impressive overall showing by the Barons defence. Shortstop Andy Murphy, left fielder Craig Steeves, and reliever Alex Amey also turned in highlight-reel plays that repeatedly robbed the SweatSox of additional offence.
Rookie James “PJ” Paul was one of the biggest victims of the Barons leatherwork, having two rockets turned into outs.
“I thought I signed up to play baseball against other old men,” Paul joked. “Not the Steel Curtain of the 70’s.”
Meanwhile, Jaspreet Sanghra etched his name into the early-season record books with the SweatSox’ first — and so far only — stolen base of the season in the second inning.
“I’m proud to be leading the team in stolen bases,” Sanghra said. “But I already know my BFF Eric White is going to show up for like two or three games this year and steal the team lead again.”
Behind the plate, Andrew Hierlihy quietly battled through one of the tougher catching assignments of the young season, handling Martelle’s dancing knuckleballs and Bond’s sweeping breakers while recording nine putouts, an assist, and a couple of passed balls.
“I thought I’d seen it all after 40 years of catching,” Hierlihy said. “Then tonight happened. Ron had stuff moving all over the place, Cory was snapping off sweepers — it was an adventure back there. Both of them were outstanding though.”
The SweatSox will look to stay unbeaten Wednesday night when they travel to Southgate for a 6:10 p.m. matchup against the Coyotes, weather permitting.
Final SweatSox vs Barons Notes/Thoughts:
- It may have been raining on the QC side, but there was absolutely nothing on the GHS side.
- The cousin got a speeding ticket just outside of Barrie going 30 over the limit.
- Is Nick Henderson the next SweatSox manager? He’s currently training for it at U15 girls softball.
- Jaspreet didn’t bring his hat, joining Jean Lazure as the only people to ever forget their lid at home for a SweatSox ballgame.
- If Kent played 2 steps over and 1 step back, nothing would go over his head ever again.
- Andrew Cockburn is afraid of a little mouse.
- Phil does a pretty good Roger Dorn impression.
- When Coach forgets to ask someone to bring the beer, he’s got to bring it. That’s how leadership works.
- If gas is 10 cents cheaper, and you have a 69L tank, you’re saving $6.90 on a fill-up.
- Phil used to borrow his parent’s car all the time too, when he was 16.
- What’s so hard to understand about the fact that Trevor doesn’t get cold.
- Trevor’s biggest weakness is a women goalie.
- Paul James needs to throw a chair in his car already.
- Justine can chime in whenever she damn well pleases.
- The Lumberjacks are going to forfeit on Thursday.
- What’s the count?
- Do you have the count?
- Does anybody have the count?
- 3-1.
#WONTHEHYJINX