(October 16, 2019 – Carollton, TX) It was another issue of big bats Wednesday night as the Dallas Spirits combined for another 20 hits as they cruised to a 14 to 3 win over the EKG Orioles under partial lighting at McInnish Park in NTABL Fall Baseball action. The first and third base line lights were out, thus causing an already dark field to be even darker, but there was enough light available for the Spirits offense to light up Orioles pitching.
Hard-baller, Craig Molldrem took the mound for the Spirits once again and he held the birds hit-less in 3 innings of work, while striking out 6 before the club turned to Jonathan Duran and Shawn Lee to close things out. Duran gave up a hit and struck out one in an inning of work before having to leave due to taking a ground ball off the shoulder and Lee made an attempt to finish the shortened game, allowing 2 earned on 2 hits while walking a pair of hitters as well.
On the offense, the squad put together 4 runs in the first and another 6 in the second to put the game out of reach. They eventually added one in the third and 3 more in the fourth before the Orioles rallied for a couple of runs in the fifth before the game was suspended due to the mercy rule.
Every Spirit hit safely, with four Spirits hitters finishing the night with 3-for-4 performances at the dish. Cliff Brade, Kirk Sipila, Lee, and Eric Goetz all finished with three hits while Molldrem, Jason Bottenfield and Goetz also recorded doubles on the evening and Sipila finished with a triple as part of his stat sheet. Sipila, Molldrem and Lee each finished with 3 RBIs on the night as well and David Tipton, Bottenfield and Molldrem each finished with two hits as every hitter scored at least once with the exception of one batter.
“Another solid night on both ends,” Lee mentioned of his team’s win. “Molldrem looks great and we’re happy to get him as much work as he wants to take on as he gets back into the saddle. (Kirk) Sipila has been a force to be reckoned with at the plate this fall and so has (David) Tipton. They’re killing the ball. (Jonathan) Duran is also having a great fall season. He wasn’t even planning on playing for us and now he’s basically in the MVP conversation if we had one. They’re all doing a great job and I’m looking forward to us making a little noise toward a fall title.”
The team returns to action to avenge its only loss when they host the Knights on Sunday night on Graham Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30PM and you can click here for schedule details.
Waxahachie Autoplex Players of the Game
Craig Molldrem (2-3, 2B, 2 R, BB, 3 RBI; 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 6 K)
Kirk Sipila (3-4, 3B, 3 R, 3 RBI)
Shawn Lee (3-4, R, SB, 3 RBI; IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 2 BB)