Here\u2019s a sentence I never thought I\u2019d say this year: The SweatSox were looking to make it 2 in a row last night at Southgate, when we took on the River Hawks on our side of the river. \u00a0This game was a big one for the SweatSox, who are no longer chasing the #BangBang Outlaws for the 8th & final playoff spot ever since their new hats have vaulted them up the Tier 1 standings.\u00a0 Instead, we\u2019re now locked in 7-week battle with these very River Hawks for the all-important golden ticket to stay in Tier 1 next year, and a playoff spot.<\/p>\n
With Josh Ramage selected by the Authority as the honorary game day captain, the River Hawks tried to pull one over on our Once again, the 1st inning in a SweatSox game was full of scoring.\u00a0 The River Hawks opened with 5 runs in the top, capped by an RBI single by their starting pitcher; maybe we should\u2019ve waited for their full roster to arrive after all.\u00a0\u00a0 Thankfully, we answered with 4 runs of our own in the bottom, capped by a Kent Johnston 2-out 2-run ROE.<\/p>\n After trading runs over the next few innings, the game ultimately came down to a one play in the top of the 6th inning.\u00a0 With 2 outs and the score tied at 8, the River Hawks had the bases loaded and put a ball in play that more times than not would\u2019ve been a bases clearing double or triple.\u00a0 Instead, Kent Johnston (CF) turned back the clock, mashed the speed boost button, and performed yet another classic KJ dive, drop, and roll catch to save the game.<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/RiverHawksNCBL\/status\/745830207446200320<\/p>\n After a scoreless 7th inning, and with the time limit looming, the game ended in a draw.\u00a0 It was the first SweatSox tie since July 3, 2013 when we tied the Gryphons 2-2; that was the game GLE probably broke the Gryphon player\u2019s nose after an unfortunate HBP to the face, which also happened to take place at Southgate.<\/p>\n FINAL: SweatSox 8. River Hawks 8.<\/p>\n Ironically, the River Hawks tried the hidden player trick before the game. We didn't fall for it.#U2<\/a><\/p>\n — SweatSox (@SweatSox) June 23, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nrookie<\/del> \u201csophomore\u201d during the pregame meet & greet at home plate.\u00a0 Ramage returned to the dugout and informed the team that the game was going to be delayed 15 minutes while the River Hawks waited for their 9th player.\u00a0 A benchridden Cory Bond was quick to notice that the River Hawks already had 9, and they were actually waiting for their 10th player to come so they could DH for their pitcher. \u00a0Craig Cornell was immediately tasked with ending this charade, and 1.4 minutes later the game was underway. \u00a0The Hidden Player Trick was a good idea in principle, but their execution was terrible; teams like the SweatSox or Panthers would\u2019ve at least hid the 9th player in a car to initiate the 15-minute grace period instead of having him sitting in the dugout.\u00a0 Nevertheless, that wasn\u2019t going to stop us from shaking hands at the end of the game; but first things first\u2026<\/p>\n\n