(October 13, 2025 – Dallas, TX) The Spirits (45+) squad kept their winning rhythm rolling Monday night at Cowboy Field, using a steady offensive effort and a five-run fifth inning to crush the Rough Riders, 10–2. Jonathan Duran tossed five strong frames and the Spirits lineup spread out 10 hits across eight batters to earn the convincing victory.
The Spirits wasted no time applying pressure after leadoff man Eric McPherson doubled to start the home half of the first, and Matt Crowell worked a walk to set up an early scoring threat. A pair of wild pitches moved both runners up before Chris Lewis grounded out to score McPherson. Another wild pitch moments later allowed Crowell to cross the plate, giving the Spirits an early 2–0 edge.
The Rough Riders briefly answered in the second, putting together three hits to tie the game at two, but from there, Duran found his rhythm. The right-hander used pinpoint command and a solid defensive effort behind him to keep the Riders off balance, tossing scoreless frames in the third, fourth, and fifth.
In the bottom of the third, McPherson again found his way aboard via walk and promptly stole both second and third. Brian Kellner made him pay off with a sharp single to center to push the Spirits back ahead. Kellner was a constant presence all night, reaching base four times with a pair of doubles, a hit-by-pitch, and three RBIs.
Lewis was later hit by a pitch and Mike Sopocy followed with a single to load the bases. After a fielder’s choice at the plate, Shawn Hunt drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in Lewis, and Stacy Scott followed with a clutch RBI single through the left side to score Sopocy. The Spirits ended the inning with a 5–2 lead and never looked back.
After another clean inning from Duran, the Spirits put the game away in the fifth. Hunt reached on an error and Scott slapped his third hit of the game. Eric Lansburger added an RBI single to make it 7–2, and Crowell followed with another RBI knock to bring home Scott. Kellner then delivered the knockout blow with a booming double that scored both Lansburger and Crowell, stretching the lead to 10–2 and cementing the win.
Duran finished with five innings of five-hit baseball, allowing just two earned runs with one walk and three strikeouts. Vincent Diciero handled the final frame, retiring the Riders in order while adding a strikeout to close it out.
Scott led the way with a perfect 3-for-3 night, adding a run and an RBI. McPherson scored three times and doubled while swiping his third bag of the season. Crowell reached twice, scored twice, and drove in one. Sopocy contributed a hit and walk while crossing the plate once, and Hunt reached twice, tallying a single, walk, and RBI.
“It’s always nice when the entire lineup contributes,” said McPherson, who set the tone atop the order. “We stayed patient, took our walks, and put pressure on their pitcher every inning. That fifth inning was just the result of doing the small things right.”
Kellner echoed the team-first approach. “Guys were seeing the ball well and not trying to do too much,” he noted. “Everyone chipped in — when that happens, good things usually follow. Duran gave us a great start and the defense was sharp behind him.”
With the win, the Spirits move another step forward in the NTABL Brazos Division standings as the fall campaign winds down. The club will look to carry the momentum into next week’s matchup and continue their push toward the postseason with a lineup firing on all cylinders.
Ranger Fire, Inc. Players of the Game
Brian Kellner (2-2, 2B (2), HBP, 3 RBI)
Stacy Scott (3-3, R, RBI)
Jonathan Duran (5 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, BB, 3 K)