LOWER KINSMEN — June 7, 2026 — The SweatSox spent the final six innings proving they could play with the Lumberjacks. Unfortunately, the first inning still counts.
The Lumberjacks erupted for 12 runs on 14 hits in the opening frame Sunday evening at Lower Kinsmen, building a lead the SweatSox could never fully overcome on their way to a 15-9 victory.
It was one of the roughest starts in SweatSox history, though not quite the franchise record. That distinction remains safely tucked away in the archives from the club’s final Tier 1 game in 2016, when the Panthers bent us over to score 17 first-inning runs on only nine hits.
Even by SweatSox standards, Sunday’s opening inning felt almost impossible.
“This had to have been the quickest 12-run inning in baseball history,” said veteran outfielder Trevor Williams. “Josh works quick, and there must’ve been ten first-pitch hits. It was basically Lumberjack batting practice and the rest of us were just out there shagging balls for them.”
Starter Josh Ramage was tagged with the loss after surrendering all 12 first-inning runs. Following the inning, SweatSox manager Cory Bond made the difficult—and in some corners controversial—decision to go to his bullpen far earlier than usual.
Enter rookie James Paul.
Paul delivered exactly what the SweatSox needed, stabilizing the game with three strong innings of relief. The rookie scattered just two hits, allowed two runs, walked one, and struck out one over three innings to give his club a chance to claw back.
“I was honestly surprised I got the call,” Paul admitted. “I thought Josh pitched complete games no matter what. But Coach obviously knows what he’s doing, and I was happy to step up.”
The move nearly changed the entire complexion of the game.
After spotting the Lumberjacks a dozen runs in the opening inning, the SweatSox outscored their opponents 9-3 over the remaining six innings. The deficit shrank, the dugout came alive, and for a brief moment the improbable comeback didn’t seem completely impossible.
Unfortunately for the Sox, baseball’s scoring rules remain stubbornly unchanged.
The Lumberjacks still won the first inning 12-0, and they still won the game 15-9.
Eric White handled the final two innings for the SweatSox, striking out three batters while allowing just a single run.
“I knew the Lumberjacks were going to come out swinging,” White said. “That’s exactly why I passed on the start earlier in the day. I didn’t want those runs on my stats.”
White wasn’t the only SweatSox veteran exercising strategic caution.
Mark Bond, who not only also passed on the starting assignment, but skipped the game entirely, issued a statement afterward.
“I knew the Lumberjacks were going to put up historic numbers,” Bond said. “There was no sense having that attached to my record either.”
Despite the early avalanche, Ramage remained characteristically defiant.
“I hate everybody,” he said. “Teammates especially. But I fear nobody. The scoreboard only tells you what happened today. Tomorrow, you get to write a different story.”
The SweatSox offense eventually found some success against the Lumberjacks pitching staff.
Eric White, Andrew Hierlihy, and Cory Bond each collected two hits to lead the attack, while James Paul helped his own cause with a team-leading three RBI.
The club also established a new franchise record with three sacrifice flies in a single game. Trevor Williams and James Paul each contributed one, while Steve Brown delivered perhaps the most celebrated sacrifice fly of the season.
“I’ve been working really hard on my sacrifice game,” Brown said. “It’s nice to finally see all that effort reflected (eventually) on the boxscore.”
Defensively, Nick Henderson earned Player of the Game honours after recording three assists and two putouts at second base.
Henderson’s commitment was particularly noteworthy considering he cut short a family barbecue to make first pitch.
“I had to choose between serving hamburgers with Uncle Mick and Cousin Rick, or serving ground balls at second base,” Henderson said. “One of those sounded a lot more fun, and it wasn’t the burgers.”
The Lumberjacks received a winning effort from starter Eric Themountain-Kam, who worked four innings while allowing four runs. Luke Plunkett handled the final three innings, surrendering five runs but closing the door to earn the save.
Acting Lumberjacks manager Phil Dugas credited the team’s pitching strategy for keeping the SweatSox guessing.
“The SweatSox have seen so much Tyas Montgomery and Alex Poulin over the years,” Dugas said. “I figured they’d have difficulty with anybody else we threw at them. And it worked.”
At the plate, nearly every Lumberjack enjoyed a career evening, but the biggest moment belonged to Jon Morrison.
The veteran slugger launched his first career NCBL home run in the fourth inning, a two-run blast that drew a massive reaction from the Lumberjacks bench.
“I was at my lowest this past offseason when not even the Bandits wanted me back,” Morrison said. “To go from that to hitting my first home run in front of my old Laurentian High School team captain Cory Bond is pretty special. But, I am the captain now.”
The SweatSox will attempt to bounce back Friday night when they host the tier-leading expansion Gatineau Expos at Upper Kinsmen. First pitch is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. The contest marks the beginning of a daunting three-game gauntlet against some of Tier 3’s biggest heavyweights. Following Friday’s matchup with the Expos, the Sox will face the Bulldogs on Sunday before wrapping up the stretch against the Rockets next Wednesday.
Final SweatSox vs Lumberjacks Notes/Thoughts:
- Eric really wants to get in Ron’s pants.
- If Trev is working the grill, you know it’s going to be a great meal.
- Playing first base is a lot like playing left field, you just kind of stand around until someone yells at you to move.
- Andrew doesn’t understand how I, Shaun Keay, can do these recaps when I (Shaun Keay) am not even at the games. It’s easy: I, Shaun Keay, have “sources”.
- Eric has trouble getting it up these days, as confirmed by Justine.
- Jaspreet rolled 2 ankles in the outfield, but powered through like a champ.
- I guess Tyas didn’t quit.
- There’s nothing better than an Angel’s Touch Massage after a rough start, just don’t try to claim in on your benefits.
- WARNING: Light beer, heavy box.
- Fuck Eric’s no swearing league.
- If somebody takes a swing at Josh, he can swing it right back too, just not today.
- Always keep your trailer hitch on for fuck you purposes.
- The Black Sox had a better condiment setup than the Rogers Center.
- Cory has had a lot of men’s meat in mouth over the years, but Phil’s meat might’ve been the tastiest of them all.
- You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares, so go:
