{"id":4230,"date":"2025-05-30T17:18:09","date_gmt":"2025-05-30T21:18:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sweatsoxbaseball.com\/blog\/?p=4230"},"modified":"2025-05-30T17:34:44","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T21:34:44","slug":"eric-rung-ramage-wrung-sox-stung","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sweatsoxbaseball.com\/blog\/2025\/05\/30\/eric-rung-ramage-wrung-sox-stung\/","title":{"rendered":"Eric Rung, Ramage Wrung, Sox Stung"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hamilton Yards, ON<\/strong>– In a game that lasted just 88 minutes but packed in more drama than most doubleheaders, the SweatSox fell 6-4 to the Lumberjacks on Thursday night at the Nepean Sportsplex, dropping our record to 3-4 on the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lumberjacks (now 3-2-1) capitalized on a second-inning collapse by the SweatSox defense, turning a fast 2-0 deficit into a lead they never relinquished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The game began with a bang for the SweatSox, who racked up three hits and plated two runs through just three batters. But the early momentum evaporated in the second when a pair of uncharacteristic errors by veteran infielder Mark Bond opened the door for a 3-run Lumberjacks inning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been around long enough to know that one bad inning can change everything,\u201d said Bus Cop after the game. \u201cI\u2019ve got to be better for the boys, especially Josh.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Jacks tacked on single runs in the 5th and 6th to stretch the lead to 5-2. In the bottom of the 6th, Eric White and Kent Johnston sparked a rally, each scoring runs to pull the Sox within one. But a 7th-inning insurance run from the visitors put the game just out of reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The night ended in frustration as Eric White, representing the go-ahead run, was rung up on a pitch he\u2014and many in the crowd\u2014thought was too high, and inside. Ironically, it was the very pitch SweatSox starter Josh Ramage had pleaded for all night without success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI need to be smarter there,\u201d said White. \u201cJust because a pitch hasn\u2019t been called a strike doesn\u2019t mean it won\u2019t be next time. Umpires don\u2019t make mistakes\u2014so that one\u2019s on me. I’m just disappointed I let the guys down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ramage, who pitched a complete game, scattered seven hits and gave up six runs, walked four and struck out one in a gritty 7-inning effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI got screwed as a batter last game, screwed as a pitcher tonight,\u201d Ramage said, shaking his head. \u201cCan\u2019t wait to see how I get screwed defensively tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the loss, the Sox offense showed flashes. White and Johnston both finished with two hits and two runs, with White also roping a double and swiping a base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike Pignat, Shaun Keay (me), Phil Leduc, and Mark Bond chipped in with a hit apiece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the defensive side, third baseman Geoff Nolan turned in the Play of the Game with a diving stab to lead off the 3rd inning that robbed Corey Valois of extra bases. Eric White continued his dominance at shortstop, tallying a game-high five assists and making everything look easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the Sweatiest Player of the Game honors went to someone not wearing a uniform\u2014longtime NCBL groundskeeper extraordinaire Bill Beelen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf I can turn one potential rainout into a game played, that\u2019s a win in my books,\u201d said Beelen, who once again salvaged the field after morning storms threatened to postpone the matchup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other side, Lumberjacks ace Tyas Montgomery matched Ramage pitch-for-pitch, going the distance while allowing eight hits, no walks, and striking out two. He also did damage with the bat, notching two hits and driving in three runs. Phil Dugas added a pair of hits, and the Jacks defense was stellar, led by third baseman Alex Poulin and a lockdown middle infield duo of Dugas and Jason Kiser, who combined for 9 assists and 7 putouts, most of which had a high degree of difficulty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt all went according to plan,\u201d said acting Jacks skipper Luke Plunkett. \u201cWhen we play clean baseball like this, we\u2019re tough to beat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SweatSox manager Cory Bond was candid in his postgame comments. \u201cAnother great Sox-Jacks Josh-Tyas showdown that could\u2019ve gone either way. Full credit to the Lumberjacks\u2014they controlled all three phases of the game. We just need to play better, plain and simple. No excuses.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SweatSox won\u2019t have long to dwell on the loss. They\u2019re back in action tonight<\/em> at Trillium Park to take on the Lynx, hoping to get back in the win column and regain some early-season mojo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Sportsplex wasn\u2019t good enough for High School ball today, but it was primed for a SweatSox beating.

On the bright side, no parking tickets!

Lumberjacks 6. SweatSox 4.

WP- Tyas (1-0)
LP- Ramage (1-3)

Shoutout to Bill for doing his thing and getting the field NCBL-ready ??. pic.twitter.com\/t3RyXl73UA<\/a><\/p>— SweatSox (@SweatSox) May 30, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>