June 17, 2026 – Cappamore – For seven innings, the annual showdown between Josh Ramage and Mike Bayley delivered exactly what everyone expected.
For the eighth inning, all bets were off.
What began as a well-played, tightly contested battle between two longtime rivals turned into a Rockets avalanche, as the visiting side exploded for nine runs in the extra frame to defeat the SweatSox 15-6 Wednesday night at Cappamore.
The loss drops the SweatSox to 13-23-1 all-time against the Rockets dating back to 2001.
The SweatSox appeared firmly in control early. They jumped on Rockets starter Mike Bayley for six runs through four innings, chasing the veteran from the game and building what looked like an insurmountable 6-1 lead.
But the Rockets bullpen and offense had other ideas.
Reliever Max Mueller completely changed the game after entering in the fifth. The left-hander tossed five scoreless innings, allowing the SweatSox nothing offensively while striking out four.
“I’ve got to thank Mike Bayley for that,” Mueller said afterward. “He had their hitters so far off their game by the time I got in there, they had absolutely nothing left in the tank. I was basically pitching to confused people.”
While Mueller was slamming the door, the Rockets slowly chipped away. Five runs over the next three innings erased the deficit and sent the game into extras, where the Rockets delivered the knockout blow with a nine-run eruption.
Bayley, meanwhile, still managed to leave with a smile despite the rough outing.
“It feels pretty good to beat the SweatSox,” Bayley said. “Especially because this will certainly be my final season in the NCBL. This is it, I’m done. I’m retiring. Maybe.”
Ramage deserved a better fate than the final line suggested.
Making his sixth start of the season, the SweatSox workhorse recorded his fifth complete game, gutting through all eight innings. The veteran allowed 20 hits, four walks and 11 earned runs while striking out four batters, including two coming by way of the automatic variety.
Afterward, Ramage wasn’t interested in discussing the positives.
“I’ve only got seven innings in me, not eight,” he said. “Coach knows that. Sending me out for the eighth was stupid. He’s got to be better.”
At the plate, Ramage tried to help his own cause, collecting three hits. Andrew Hierlihy matched him with a three-hit performance that included a double and a stolen base. James Paul added two hits, while Mike Pignat drove in a team-high two runs.
Pignat also survived one of the game’s more painful moments after absorbing a brutal hit-by-pitch.
His evening nearly included a stolen base as well.
With Pignat taking off from first, many assumed he was attempting to become just the third SweatSox player to steal a base this season. Instead, it turned out to be a Dukes-designed hit-and-run that quickly unraveled when Steve Brown lined out to right field, resulting in a momentum-killing F9-3 double play.
Brown had an explanation.
“This never would’ve happened if I was batting fifth or sixth instead of fourth,” Brown said. “Everybody knows that.”
Defensively, the SweatSox received an outstanding effort from Mark Bond, who earned Defensive Player of the Game honours.
Making his first start at shortstop since the infamous four-errors-in-one-inning game just over a year ago, Bond looked like a completely different player. He piled up a season-high six assists and repeatedly bypassed the safer toss to second base in favour of confident throws across the diamond worthy of a major leaguer.
Bond credited some unusual pregame advice from manager Cory Bond.
“He told me, ‘Don’t be yourself out there, that’s never worked. Play like Eric would,'” Mark said. “Honestly, it was probably the best coaching advice I’ve ever received.”
Elsewhere around the diamond, Phil Leduc was solid at third base with two assists and a putout. Trevor Williams tracked down three important fly balls in center field, while Craig Cornell made his first appearance at first base since the SweatSox’s Tier 4 days in the early 2000s.
Cornell finished with two putouts but felt the stat line could have been bigger.
“I wish the defenders would just throw it to me perfectly,” Cornell joked. “Stretches and scoops are hard. I have so much more respect for guys like Cory and Larry who make it look so easy.”
The Rockets offense was relentless throughout the night.
Matt Gosselin led the attack with four hits, while Ty Murphy and Jack Bayley collected three apiece. Jeff Carr drove in four runs, and Ben Charbonneau — who looks like a real ballplayer — added three RBI of his own.
Following the comeback victory, Rockets manager Tom Toll couldn’t resist enjoying the moment.
“A win over the SweatSox is always a little sweeter than any other,” Toll said. “Hopefully this earns me a few more Manager of the Year votes when it’s all said and done.”
The SweatSox won’t have much time to dwell on the defeat. They’ll return to action tonight (Thursday) when they travel to Faulkner Park for a 6:10 p.m. matchup against the Barons, weather permitting.
Final SweatSox vs Rockets Notes/Thoughts:
- It was raining last Sunday at the following locations: Westboro, Renfrew, Nepean, Syracuse, Kenmore, Ancaster, Allen, Gatineau, Quebec, and the Strip Club. And for those reasons, we were rained out.
- I don’t understand the Dragonfly reference, is Steve a member at that golf course?
- Mike was 6 km’s away 25 minutes before first pitch.
- Craig was 2 minutes away 20 minutes after the game ended.
- Volunteering to sub out of the game in the later innings right after you just had an at bat is a veteran move, and Larry is no rookie.
- The Cappamore lights are smooth.
- After missing out on a hot & ready pizza by 1 block, Mark was on his hands and knees scrounging for ground peanuts.
- Gatorade was the thirst quencher, All Sport was the body quencher.
- “I’m a Powerade guy”, said no one ever.
- The first rule of negotiation: Always double the first offer.
- That last jujube had some grit.
- We only get a fresh bag of peanuts if we finish the bag from the game before, otherwise it’s leftovers.
- They figured out the Asian gangs by grade 11.
- JP absolutely remembers the chick with the fat ass from 20 years ago.
- Bronson Street bums are much different than the Vanier bums.
- A Wizard is more than a tip calculator, a Willard is less.
- It was James’ car all along that was blocking the good view.
- Andrew looks very different from the back.
#THEMONK