June 12, 2026 — The Real Kinsmen Field – The SweatSox spent most of Friday night digging themselves out of a hole, and for a while it looked like they might actually complete one of the biggest comebacks since the one we had like 2-3 weeks ago.
Instead, the inaugural meeting between the SweatSox and the expansion Gatineau Expos ended in heartbreak.
After spotting the Expos seven runs in the first inning, the SweatSox clawed all the way back to take an 11-10 lead entering the sixth and final inning before the visitors erupted for five runs in the top half and held on for a wild 15-13 victory.
The loss was the second straight for the SweatSox and continued one of the strangest streaks in team history. Although it was their first-ever loss to this particular Expos franchise, it was also their eighth consecutive defeat against any team named Expos, a drought that dates back to Game 2 of the 2015 Tier 2 Championship Final.
Despite the early deficit, the SweatSox never showed signs of folding.
“We’re battle tested,” said manager Cory Bond. “We’ve been punched in the mouth plenty of times over the years, and I mean plenty. We never give up, no matter the score. We may often be down, but we’re never out.”
The game appeared headed toward a memorable comeback victory after the SweatSox erased the seven-run deficit through a relentless offensive attack highlighted by timely hitting, patient at-bats, and an explosive fourth inning.
The biggest blow belonged to Mike Pignat, who unloaded a bases-clearing triple in the fourth inning to swing momentum squarely toward the home side.
According to Pignat, the hit was all part of a carefully constructed master plan.
“I lined out the inning before on purpose,” he explained. “Had to lure the outfielders in a little bit. Then the next time up I put one over their heads. Everything went according to plan.”
The comeback handed the ball to veteran left-hander Cory Bond for the sixth inning with the SweatSox leading by one.
Unfortunately, baseball had other ideas.
A series of unfortunate bounces, awkward deflections, and balls that seemed determined to find open grass allowed the Expos to plate five runs in the inning. Bond did record a strikeout and picked off a runner, but the damage was done as Gatineau reclaimed the lead for good.
The SweatSox mounted one final threat in the bottom half, even bringing the tying run to second base, but could not come up with the clutch hit they needed.
Nobody was more direct in his assessment than starting pitcher Mark Bond.
“This was Cory’s game to lose,” said Mark. “And he lost it. Thanks for nothing, brother.”
Mark was making his first appearance on the mound in 2026 and his first regular-season start since 2024. The veteran right-hander battled through five innings, surrendering eight hits, ten runs, six walks, and striking out five while receiving a no-decision.
By Saturday morning, the effects of the outing were already being felt.
“My body is broken,” Mark said.
At the plate, Cory Bond helped lead the charge with two hits, including one of his trademark doubles into deep right field.
Center fielder Kent Johnston offered a brutally honest scouting report afterward.
“I’ve played with Cory for more than 30 years now,” said Johnston. “I can say with certainty that a 20-year-old Cory gets at least a triple on that one, and probably an inside-the-parker. Or at least a Cory that’s not old, slow, and damaged.”
Bond quickly disputed the characterization.
“People seem to be forgetting that I went first-to-third on a shallow sacrifice fly to right field tonight,” he said. “Not even Eric White has done that.”
Josh Ramage did not record a hit but still managed to drive in three runs, continuing his knack for finding ways to contribute.
“I may need to take a page out of Cory and Mike’s book and stop doing pregame wiffles if I want to get a hit again,” Ramage said. “It worked for them tonight. Maybe it’ll work for me next time.”
Jaspreet Sanghra also found creative ways to reach base. Officially 0-for-0 on the evening, Sanghra collected a sacrifice fly, a walk, and was hit by pitches twice.
The pair of plunkings increased his season total to four and brought his brief career NCBL total to an astonishing 37.
“I don’t know why I get hit so much,” Sanghra wondered. “What makes me so special or different? Maybe it’s about time I get some kind of protective batting.”
At the top of the order, Nick Henderson and Kent Johnston created chaos all night long. Batting first and second, the duo reached base eight times in ten plate appearances, combining for six walks, one hit-by-pitch, and one hit.
Their constant traffic on the bases gave the SweatSox opportunities every time the lineup turned over.
Johnston credited his preparation.
“Full credit goes to my Toto shoes and my creatine intake,” he said. “It works!”
Defensively, shortstop Ron Martelle led the club with three assists and nearly had a fourth before a sharply hit ground ball took what witnesses described as a suspiciously sideways mid-air hop.
On the corners, Cory Bond at first base and Josh Ramage at third made several difficult scoops and catches look routine, while Phil Leduc once again absorbed punishment behind the plate and recorded a team-high six putouts.
Meanwhile, outfielders Kent Johnston and Jaspreet Sanghra successfully fulfilled the primary responsibilities of their position by remaining in the outfield and throwing several baseballs back toward the infield after they were hit in their general direction. No actual catches though.
The SweatSox would also like to acknowledge and thank scorekeepers John Groves, Nick Groves, and XXXavier Leduc, who stepped in while the club was in the field after only nine players showed up for the game.
“Where’s Marc, Liddy, Shaun, and Dillon?” asked John in Iowa visiting Ottawa.
The SweatSox will look to snap their two-game skid Sunday night when they travel to Allen Parc for an 8:30 p.m. matchup against the Aylmer Bulldogs, weather permitting. Josh Ramage is expected to get the start.
Final SweatSox vs Expos Notes/Thoughts:
- It’s no surprise that Los Vampiros are the class of Tier 4 now that Joe Beelen has dropped the blue Brewer belt in favour of a TRV green.
- When Groves shows up, so does the banana story.
- Why is gas different everywhere?
- Why are the Expos all the same size?
- Why does Mike only yearn for Chick-Fil-A after church on Sundays.
- There’s a tranny at Cop’s work.
- The visually impaired always want to know: “What about them titties?”
- Is Shota’s profile pic Niagara Falls or a geyser in Japan?
- Mark is not a fan of setting the tone, unless it costs $1,300 and makes a mean cup of Joe.
- There’s an excess amount of foam in Kent’s uromysitisis remnant.
- Momma Josh loves her coffee pods.
- You never want to be thinking about shitting your pants.
- Josh celebrated the anniversary of Cory sniping his beer at Pickles by pounding Kent’s Sol.
