{"id":4160,"date":"2025-05-10T23:48:50","date_gmt":"2025-05-11T03:48:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sweatsoxbaseball.com\/blog\/?p=4160"},"modified":"2025-05-11T00:01:57","modified_gmt":"2025-05-11T04:01:57","slug":"the-brotherhood-of-the-traveling-kent-bat-sweatsox-vs-barons-i-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sweatsoxbaseball.com\/blog\/2025\/05\/10\/the-brotherhood-of-the-traveling-kent-bat-sweatsox-vs-barons-i-recap\/","title":{"rendered":"The Brotherhood of the Traveling Kent-Bat | Sw\u00ebatS\u00f6x vs Barons I RECAP"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KANATA<\/em>\u2014 A triennium of frustration came to an end last night, as the Barons finally earned their first-ever win over the SweatSox, coming from behind to take the 2025 season opener 9-7 in front of a frosty crowd at Kinsmen Field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The long-awaited Barons victory snapped a 10-game losing streak against the SweatSox and marked a new chapter in the rivalry \u2014 one that Barons Manager James Cloutier<\/strong> called \u201ca long time coming.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been chasing this one for years,\u201d Cloutier said after the game. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t always pretty, but tonight we battled, we kept grinding, and we got the big outs when we needed them. I couldn\u2019t be prouder of the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Barons trailed 4\u20131 after four innings before mounting a late-game surge, scoring seven runs over the final three frames<\/strong> to complete the comeback. Their bullpen held the line, and a key defensive play in the sixth proved to be the game’s turning point…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the SweatSox down one and the bases juiced, the reigning Tier 3 MVP Eric White<\/strong> stepped into the batter\u2019s box with a chance to reclaim the lead. Instead, he grounded into an inning-ending fielder\u2019s choice, extinguishing the rally and igniting the Barons\u2019 dugout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat was the biggest out of our season so far \u2014 no question,\u201d Cloutier said. \u201cWhite\u2019s a real tough out in that spot, but we executed. That was the moment we knew we had a real shot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barons starter Josh Primeau<\/strong> kept the team in it through four innings before turning things over to the bullpen duo of Griffen Courtice<\/strong> and Josh Van Noort<\/strong>, who combined to shut down the Sox the rest of the way. \u201cWe got out-Josh\u2019d 2-to-1 tonight,\u201d SweatSox Manager Cory Bond<\/strong> quipped post-game. \u201cAnd it damn well showed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the loss, the SweatSox had their share of bright spots. Kent Johnston<\/strong> earned 2004 A&W Kamloops International Baseball Game MVP<\/strong> honours with a 2-for-4 effort, including two RBI and a meaningless solo blast in the seventh inning that cut the Barons\u2019 lead to three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric White<\/strong> and Phil Leduc<\/strong> also recorded two-hit games, while I, Shaun Keay<\/strong> reached base twice, including a hit-by-pitch to the dome in my emotional return to the lineup after a season-ending elbow injury last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe had our moments,\u201d said Bond. \u201cWe were one swing away from taking that game back, but credit to the Barons \u2014 they stuck with it. We\u2019re not happy with the result, but there\u2019s a lot to build on here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the mound, Josh Ramage<\/strong> went the distance for the SweatSox, throwing a seven-inning complete game. He gave up eight hits and five walks while striking out three in the losing effort. After the game, Ramage was blunt about his performance and the team\u2019s response behind him: \u201cI was good enough to win \u2014 that\u2019s not the issue,\u201d he said. \u201cNow the rest of the team\u2019s gotta pick it up. Simple as that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Defensively, the SweatSox flashed some mid-season form. Cory Bond<\/strong>, who pulled double duty as both Manager and Relief First Baseman, made three key putouts in the seventh inning<\/strong>, exactly when the sun was \u201cbeing a little bitch.\u201d Shoutout to my sunglasses for saving the day, and RFB’s face, and the first base coach’s face, and probably the first base ump’s face too. You’re welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric White<\/strong> also shone bright, anchoring the infield at shortstop all game long, tallying eight assists and two putouts to earn an Honourable Mention on D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the win may come at a cost for the Barons. According to the never-wrong<\/em> NCBL Waiver Tracker<\/strong>, the Barons fielded three players who had not signed the required league waivers<\/strong>, a violation that carries a $300 fine<\/strong>. When asked about the looming penalty, Cloutier only smiled and said, \u201cI guess we paid for that win one way or another.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the SweatSox will look to bounce back tomorrow night against the Bats, the Barons walk away with a monkey off their back \u2014 and perhaps, the first real sign that this season might be different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis wasn\u2019t the start we wanted,\u201d Bond said. \u201cBut it\u2019s a long season, not as long as it should be with only 22 games now, but we\u2019ve got the pieces \u2014 we just need to put it together. We\u2019ll be ready. Maybe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SweatSox fail to set the tone, and drop our season opener 9-7 to the mostly jersey-less @BytownBarons<\/a>.

WP- Josh (1-0)
LP- Josh (0-1)

And whoever on the @PiratesNCBL<\/a> or @CapitalCityCubs<\/a> triple parked those elderly Hamlet fans in, shame on you.#butthurt<\/a> #notthatkindofpedobat<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/fv1RbpU2y5<\/a><\/p>— SweatSox (@SweatSox) May 10, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>