Big Offense Leads to Big Win Over Cubs

(April 12, 2025 – Carrollton, TX) A 17-hit attack from a lineup featuring a long line of hitters, 15 in total, produced an 18 to 8 win over the Cubs on Saturday for the Spirits (50+) squad. Brian Kellner led the way with a 4-for-4 day, adding a double, a run scored, and 5 runs batted in to lead all hitters. Kirk Sipila added a double as well, finishing 2-for-3, with a walk, 3 runs scored and 3 runs batted in. Stacy Scott finished 2-for-2, scored twice, knocked in a run, and stole a bag, while Kevin Simmons also finished 2-for-2, adding a double, a walk, run scored, and knocked in a run as well. Shawn Hunt added a pair of hits and also scored once and knocked in a run.

After initially scoring a run in the top half of the first inning, the Cubs rallied with a 5-run bottom frame and rattled Spirits starting pitcher, Mike Sopocy. Sopocy completed the day with 3 and a third innings of work, allowing 6 earned off 10 hits, while walking 3 and striking out 2. Simmons came in for the final inning and two thirds, allowing no runs, no hits, and struck out 3 to close out the win.

The Cubs added run number six in the second to go up 6 to 1 before the Spirits offense unleashed for a snowman in the third. Scott singled to start off the inning and after swiping second base, Chris Allen grounded out but Scott was able to score on the play after previously taking third base on a passed ball. Shawn Lee doubled and stole third before Sipila drew a walk, and Lee later scored on an RBI single from Kellner. Both runners advanced following a wild pitch, and a follow up RBI single by Kent Fischer allowed Sipila to score. Hunt followed with an RBI double and the Cubs turned to Heath Baker to replace starter, Steve Kline on the hill. Hunt eventually stole second base and Sopocy welcomed Baker to the game with an RBI single that scored Fischer. Sopocy went on to swipe second before an RBI sacrifice fly by Dee Mauldin scored Hunt. Vince Parello drew a walk but not before Sopocy took home on a wild pitch. Parello then stole second base and scored on a double by Simmons to make it 9 to 6, Spirits before Earl German flew out to end the top half of the third.

The Spirits set down the Cubs in order after Sopocy struck out Mike Scaggs and the next hitter singled. The Spirits defense doubled-up Mark Hollinger following a fly out and a quick throw to first base to pick up the double-play. The ghosts then added insult to injury by scoring another pair of runs in the top half of the fourth after Eric Reifschneider was hit by a pitch to start things. Reifschneider was then picked off before Allen drew a walk. A single by Sipila moved him to third, and a double by Kellner scored both runners to give the Spirits an 11 to 6 lead.

The Cubs battled back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth after Worth Chollar reached on a Spirits fielding error and John Long walked. Keith Riley grounded out but was able to push both runners over, and after Steve Kline was hit by a pitch to load the bags, Lee turned to Simmons to replace Sopocy on the mound. A curveball to the dirt allowed Chollar to score following the wild pitch, and Simmons was able then get Mark Foley to line out. Dennis DiCapua was able to reach on another Spirits fielding blunder that scored Long before Simmons was able to get Baker to fly out to end the inning with an 11 to 8 lead.

The Spirits offense then unleashed another 7 runs in the fifth starting with a single by Sopocy. Mauldin was hit by a pitch and Brian Hackney popped out to the infield. Simmons then singled to load the bases for German and a few pitches later, Sopocy crossed the ditch following another wild pitch. German was able to reach on a Cubs fielding error that plated Mauldin, and an RBI single by Scott made it 14 to 8, Spirits. Allen reached on a fielder’s choice that squeezed German at third and the bases were again loaded after Baker hit Lee with a pitch. A double by Sipila scored all three runners before Kellner picked up his fifth and final RBI when he singled home Sipila to give the game its final score of 18 to 8.

Simmons added an exclamation point by striking out the side and the Spirits had themselves a mercy ruled victory.

“Great job by the offense today,” Lee commented following the game. “We’ve got a loyal set of players and we try to be a bit liberal about allowing everyone to hit. It’s challenging at times because you don’t get your best hitters in rhythm or up as many times as you prefer, but until we start getting into playoffs, we try to find different combinations of hitters throughout the extended lineup. It seemed last year it didn’t matter if batted nine or twenty, we all hit, but this year has been a little different. Fortunately today, we were swinging well. Great job overall and nice work for (Kevin) Simmons to come in and shut them down.”

The Spirits return to action next week when they face off against friendly foe, the Diablos. Game time is 11:45AM on Field #10 at McInnish Park. Fans can click here for schedule details.

Game Box Score