{"id":4342,"date":"2025-07-23T15:55:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T19:55:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sweatsoxbaseball.com\/blog\/?p=4342"},"modified":"2026-04-30T16:07:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T20:07:12","slug":"sweatsox-stung-by-familiar-foe-in-4-1-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sweatsoxbaseball.com\/blog\/2025\/07\/23\/sweatsox-stung-by-familiar-foe-in-4-1-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"SweatSox Stung by Familiar Foe in 4-1 Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SOUTHGATE \u2014 July 22<\/strong> \u2014 Former SweatSox hurler Dave Rotari once again proved to be a thorn in the side of his old club, tossing a complete-game two-hitter to lead the Orleans Lynx to a 4-1 victory over the SweatSox on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The win improved the Lynx to 9-7 and completed a 2-0 season-series sweep over the SweatSox, who fell to 9-7 after entering the contest at 9-6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rotari was in command from the outset, allowing just two hits while walking two and striking out eight over seven innings. It marked his fourth straight victory over the SweatSox dating back to the memorable 2004 Tier 4 playoffs, when he went 2-0 for the eighth-seeded Hurricanes in a shocking quarterfinal sweep of the pennant-winning SweatSox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always really enjoyed the competition against those guys,\u201d said Rotari after the win. \u201cTo strike out names like Eric White, Kent Johnston, Cory Bond, Craig Cornell, Shaun Keay and Andrew Hierlihy over the years means a lot. The only regret I had tonight was not being able to strike out Phil Leduc\u2026 or interfere with him again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SweatSox managed to strike first in the top of the fourth inning, capitalizing on a Lynx miscue to take a 1-0 lead. But the advantage was short-lived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orleans answered immediately in the bottom half, pushing across three runs on timely hitting and aggressive baserunning. The Lynx then added an insurance marker in the sixth to put the game out of reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Missed Opportunity Looms Large<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The defining moment came earlier in the fourth inning when the SweatSox had a golden chance to break the game open. Already leading 1-0, they loaded the bases with one out and had Rotari on the ropes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, the veteran right-hander responded by striking out Steve Brown before retiring Mark Bond on a long fly ball to the warning track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat was the inning right there,\u201d said SweatSox manager Cory Bond, who remains stuck on 169 career managerial wins. \u201cWe had a chance to put some real pressure on them and couldn\u2019t cash in. Full credit to Dave Rotari \u2014 he shut us down again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ramage Battles in Tough-Luck Loss<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Josh Ramage went the distance for the SweatSox, allowing eight hits and four runs while walking one and striking out two over six innings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the solid effort, Ramage was left frustrated by the club\u2019s lack of offensive sharpness following an extended layoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s pretty clear we didn\u2019t practice or hit the cages during the break,\u201d Ramage said. \u201cYou can\u2019t just show up and expect timing to magically appear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ramage also earned Offensive Player of the Game honours for the SweatSox after reaching base twice via walk, giving him three free passes on the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHonestly, I wish I could play all nine positions on defense and bat in all nine spots in the lineup,\u201d Ramage added. \u201cThen maybe the SweatSox could finally reach their full potential.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Henderson Shines Defensively<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nick Henderson was named Defensive Player of the Game after a stellar night at second base, recording four assists and a putout while anchoring the infield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Henderson also collected one of the team\u2019s two hits and added the lone SweatSox stolen base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catcher Phil Leduc chipped in defensively as well, earning a rare U2 putout<\/strong> in the second inning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brown Earns Sweatiest Player of the Game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Steve Brown took home Sweatiest Player of the Game honours after a taxing evening that included repeated sprints from the third-base dugout to right field and a lengthy chase of a triple that rattled around the corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seeking recovery time, Brown struck out in both plate appearances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy did I sign up for this kind of punishment?\u201d Brown wondered afterward between deep breaths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lynx Get Contributions Throughout Lineup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Matt Prosper paced the Lynx attack, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBI. Ryan Bradley added two doubles and scored twice, while left fielder Ryan Davidson was flawless on three chances, snuffing out multiple SweatSox threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lynx manager John Mendonca, a former SweatSox member himself, reflected on the win afterward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got a ton of respect for that organization,\u201d said Mendonca. \u201cThey\u2019re a legendary team built by my former mentor Doug Dorion. It always feels good to beat a club with that kind of history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up Next<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The SweatSox return to action Thursday night at Kinsmen Park when they host the Barons. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

SweatSox return to action after an 18-day layoff, only to get manhandled by Rotari and the @OrleansLynx<\/a>, but mostly Rotari.

Lynx 4. Sox 1.

WP- Dave (3-5)
LP- Josh (4-5)

On the bright side, nobody severely broke their arm during this game! Get well soon Laj ?.#lostthehyjinx<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/84NcnyXC29<\/a><\/p>— SweatSox (@SweatSox) July 23, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>