SARNIA – The proverbial monkey is no longer present on the backs of the Lions.
On Saturday afternoon, the Lambton Lions Men’s Baseball Team notched the program’s first-ever win in OCAA competition, picking up an 8-7 win over the Centennial Colts in dramatic fashion at Errol Russell Park behind some timely offense and clutch pitching in the final inning.
“That was the biggest weight off our shoulders,” said Jake Prudom (Corunna, Ont.) following the team’s win. “It felt like the weight of the whole World was on our shoulders, and to finally get that first win was a relief.”
“This was a special one for us, and this will be in the history books for a long time.”
It was a back-and-forth affair from the first inning on. The Colts scored a run in the top of the first, but the Lions were quick to answer in their half. Each of the first four runners for Lambton reached base safely, and while Joe Stock (Corunna, Ont.) got caught in a run down between third and home, the Lions would bring a runner across when Prudom hit a sacrifice fly to left field that was deep enough to score Riley Brown (Brigden, Ont.) from third.
In the second, Kyle Fowler (Oil Springs, Ont.) picked up the first of his three hits on the game to lead off the inning and would later come around to score. The Lions took a 3-2 lead after the second inning, and the seesaw game was in full swing.
“It improves my confidence immensely,” said Fowler after his three-hit day. “I’ll be waiting for my pitch more often and swinging the bat with more control, hoping to put the ball in play.”
Across both games of the doubleheader, Fowler finished the day with four hits, including a double.
Fast forward to the bottom of the fifth inning, and it was Lambton’s turn to rally and put together a big inning. Trailing 6-4, the Lions opened the inning with singles from Matthew Smithson (Port Rowan, Ont.) and Cole Hudson. Four batters later, Lambton got back-to-back two-run singles from Aaron Golab (Windsor, Ont.) and Prudom that put Lambton in front by a pair.
Much like Fowler, Hudson finished the game with three hits.
On the mound, Stock went the distance, throwing a complete game in the win. However, the win wasn’t without some late-game dramatics in the seventh inning.
In a bases loaded jam with two outs I the top of the seventh inning, Stock was called for a balk after the Colts runner looked to steal home plate. The run was awarded, cutting Lambton’s deficit to just one. That was all the damage the Colts would muster in the final frame, as Stock struck out Nick Greenslade to leave the bases loaded and secure the victory for Lambton.
After the game, Stock was quick to credit the group behind him for getting through the final moments.
“Everybody pitched in today,” said Stock. “I could hear the boys behind me talking, everybody was in it, and that kept me focused and in the game.”
Saturday’s win is the result of two-plus year of the work that both players and coaches have put in to building the Lambton Baseball program from the ground up. For guys like Stock, Prudom, Eric Steeves (Camlachie, Ont.) and Riley Brown (Brigden, Ont.) who have been part of the team in both seasons, being part of the first win is something they will never forget.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the team," added Brown. “We were in a tight spot in the top of the seventh, a spot that we didn’t want to be, but Stock got it done for us."
The Lions have two more home games left on their schedule in 2021, and they have their sights set on win number two. Lambton returns to the diamond on Friday, October 8th when the Fanshawe Falcons come to down for a doubleheader.
First pitch in Game One is set for 6:00 p.m. at Errol Russell Park.