NEPEAN, Ont. — June 2 — The 15th all-time meeting between the SweatSox and Barons delivered exactly what everyone expected: plenty of offense, plenty of drama, and another chapter in the seemingly eternal pitching rivalry between Josh Ramage and Josh Primeau.
Coming into Tuesday night’s contest at the Nepean Sportsplex, the SweatSox held a commanding 13-1 edge in the all-time series. By night’s end, that record improved to 14-1 after a wild 13-10 victory that featured 23 combined runs, a controversial scoring decision, a game-changing dropped pop-up, and a fifth inning that bordered on baseball fiction.
“Either the Barons or SweatSox will always lose, but a Josh will always win, just how we like it,” Ramage and Primeau said in a combined pregame statement.
For much of the evening, however, it looked like the wrong Josh would be collecting the victory.
The Barons jumped on Ramage immediately in the top of the first inning, plating two runs and setting the tone for what would become a difficult evening for the veteran right-hander. The big hit came off the bat of James Clouthier, who ripped an RBI double down the left-field line.
“I’ve been in the lab all offseason training with 12-year-old girls trying to slow my swing down enough to catch up to Ramage’s moon ball,” Clouthier said. “I’m just glad all that hard work finally paid off.”
The SweatSox answered quickly when James Paul delivered an RBI single in the bottom half of the inning, and the game remained tight until the fourth.
With the bases loaded and the SweatSox trailing, Phil Leduc stepped to the plate and lined a two-run single to put the home side ahead.
“I gave Primeau the Danhausen right before the at-bat,” Leduc explained. “Just looked right at him and said, ‘You are cursed.’ At that point success was all but guaranteed.”
Then came the fifth inning.
And absolute madness.
Apparently Clouthier’s approach against Ramage had become required reading in the Barons dugout.
The visitors erupted for eight runs on eight hits in the top of the frame, turning a close game into what appeared to be an insurmountable lead. The biggest blow came from Evan Primeau, whose bases-clearing drive into the outfield was scored either a single or a triple, depending entirely on who happened to be keeping score.
SweatSox center fielder Kent Johnston had no doubt.
“The Barons obviously had a better angle and saw the wicked hop that ball took in the outfield,” Johnston said. “They correctly ruled it a triple.”
SweatSox right fielder Andrew “The Monk” Hierlihy offered a different interpretation.
“E8.”
By the time the dust settled, the Barons had built a six-run advantage and appeared firmly in control.
But the SweatSox had one more absurd inning left in them.
Sending 14 batters to the plate in the bottom of the fifth, the Sox mounted a stunning comeback. Primeau was chased from the game midway through the rally as the home side crossed the plate nine times.
The turning point came with two outs, the bases loaded, and the SweatSox trailing by a run.
Pinch-hitter Jaspreet Sanghra was summoned from the bench for the biggest at-bat of the game. Sanghra lofted a soft pop-up that appeared destined to settle into Clouthier’s glove and end the inning. Instead, perhaps distracted by the gale-force winds generated by Sanghra’s sprint down the first-base line, the ball hit the glove, and then the ground.
A run scored, the game was tied, and the floodgates opened.
“It sucked riding the pine for most of the game,” Sanghra admitted. “But I’m honoured Coach trusted me enough to put me in such a high-pressure situation. I’m glad I was able to produce for the team. I also promise to put a better swing on the ball at golf on Saturday.”
Moments earlier, Ron Martelle delivered perhaps the night’s most popular hit, a two-run single that represented his first NCBL hit since 2021.
“I’m glad I had to earn that first hit and that it wasn’t just handed to me after an obvious error,” Martelle said. “Hopefully it’s the first of hundreds of SweatSox hits. Maybe one day my jersey gets retired instead of burned to a crisp like at least one of my previous ones.”
The comeback transformed what looked like a certain defeat into a three-run SweatSox lead.
Then, with GLE getting loose in the bullpen, the SweatSox still batting, and the game pressed right up against a ‘no-new-inning’ time limit that may or may not have received a mysterious extension, the Barons called the game, sealing one of the more improbable victories in recent SweatSox memory.
The victory moves the SweatSox to 14 all-time wins against the Barons, tying them for fourth place on the franchise’s wins-against leaderboard.
Ramage, meanwhile, escaped with a result that seemed impossible during the fifth inning. Making his third consecutive start and fourth in five games, the workhorse tossed his fourth complete game, allowing 13 hits, 10 runs, three hit batters and one walk while striking out four over just more than 120 pitches.
“I absolutely deserved the loss tonight,” Ramage said. “When a no-decision became a possibility, I was thrilled. Then the boys laid the lumber in the fifth and somehow got me the win. Cory deserves a lot of credit too. That mound visit in the fifth completely changed things for me mentally. More importantly, he didn’t take me out during the disaster inning. That’s just good managing.”
Mike Pignat and James Paul shared Offensive Player of the Game honours with two hits and two RBIs apiece. Pignat also doubled and reached base after being hit by a pitch.
Mike “Glasses” Pignat earned Defensive Player of the Game recognition as well. Making the first start of his SweatSox career at third base, “Mr. Versatile” was flawless, recording a putout and two outstanding assists while going a perfect 3-for-3 on defensive chances. The performance places him among a very exclusive group of SweatSox who have maintained a perfect fielding percentage at the hot corner over the past decade.
Not to be outdone, shortstop Ron Martelle matched Pignat’s perfection with a putout and two assists of his own. Martelle remains flawless defensively at shortstop throughout his SweatSox career and joins an equally exclusive fraternity.
The Barons received strong offensive performances from several players. Evan Brownrigg finished a perfect 3-for-3, while Andy Murphy, Evan Primeau, James Clouthier, Craig Steeves and Kaghlen Roberts all collected two hits.
Unfortunately for the Barons, Roberts —the pride of Windsor, Nova Scotia— was unable to add another victim to his legendary pickoff résumé, failing to catch any SweatSox runners leaning during one of his famous first base chats. He was, however, able to convince an injured teammate to bring the beer for their post-game shenanigans; and isn’t that the greater victory? Hey Bini!
Despite the entertaining contest, the most important story of the evening involved home plate umpire Max Leroux, who exited during the second inning due to health-related concerns. Reports indicate he is doing better, and everyone involved with both teams hopes to see him back on the field soon.
Full credit also goes to base umpire Paul Giles, who stepped behind the plate and worked the game solo until reinforcements arrived.
The SweatSox return to action Friday night across the city at Heritage Park for an 8:30 p.m. start under the lights. The only remaining question is whether Ramage will somehow make his fourth consecutive start.
Final SweatSox vs Barons Notes/Thoughts:
- The Darkness is out 4-6.
- You really can’t be idling with these gas prices.
- It’s tough riding horses, especially ones named Phil.
- Watching Mike watch Larry fold a chair table is hypnotizing.
- Happy Birthday Eddie Gosselin!
- They’re All Gonna Laugh at You
- Assistant Principal’s Big Day
- The Buffoon and the Dean of Admissions
- Buddy
- The Longest Pee
- Food Innuendo Guy
- The Beating of a High School Janitor
- Right Field
- The Buffoon and the Valedictorian
- Mr. Spindel’s Phone Call
- The Thanksgiving Song
- The Beating of a High School Bus Driver
- Oh Mom…
- Fatty McGee
- At a Medium Pace
- The Beating of a High School Science Teacher
- The Cheerleader
- I’m So Wasted
- Lunchlady Land
- The Beating of a High School Spanish Teacher
- Toll Booth Willie
- Teenage Love on the Phone
- My Little Chicken
