(April 22, 2025 – Carrollton, TX) The Spirits (45+) squad went into Monday night expecting a closer contest based on the first match up against the Reds just a couple of weeks ago but ended up finding the polar opposite. The Reds were short handed for the second face off of the early season and things got ugly pretty quickly.
Lacking key players and pitching, the Spirits took advantage early, adding 15 runs in the first 3 innings while essentially taking the foot off the gas pedal in an attempt to curb an outcome that could have and should have been worse.
The ghosts connected for 14 hits in the shortened affair, cruising to a 16 to 2 victory at McInnish Park, Field #11. Dale Baird was lights out from the dish, leading the game off with an inside-the-park homerun that was roasted to the left centerfield wall and left no doubt despite not leaving the park. Baird finished the night 3-for-4 and easily could have hit for the cycle had the team not slowed down base running after jumping out to an early and large lead. As if Baird’s two extra base hits weren’t enough, he also added with 3 runs scored and 5 runs batted in to close out the evening accounting for half of the Spirits 16 runs.
Shawn Lee and Kevin Simmons each added a pair of hits on the night with Lee adding a double from the right side of the dish and a single from the left side. Lee finished with a run scored and 2 runs batted in while Simmons added a run batted in as well. Starting pitcher, Jonathan Duran added a single and 2 runs scored and 2 runs batted in, while Eric Goetz finished the night with a double, run scored, and 2 runs batted in. Travis Hitzeman and Shawn Hunt also each recorded a double on the night before the dust finally settled. Kirk Sipila added a single, walk, pair of runs scored, and an RBI to cap off the Spirits box score. Ron Pirkle finished with a pair of hits and a run batted in for the Reds.
Duran picked up the win finishing with 3 innings pitched while allowing 1 unearned run off 4 hits. Simmons polished the final 3 innings from the child sized mound at McInnish, allowing 1 earned on 4 hits, while striking out 3 and walking 2.
The team returns to action next Monday night when they visit the Hurricanes at Flower Mound High School. Fans can click here for schedule details and to download the iScore Central app to listen to the game live online.
Five Star Ford Players of the Game
Dale Baird (3-4, HR, 2B, 3 R, 5 RBI)
Shawn Lee (2-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI)
Kevin Simmons (2-3, RBI; 3 IP, 4 H, R, 2 BB, 3 K)