(April 6, 2026 – Coppell, TX) If this is the recipe for winning games then the fans will take it. Heck, everyone will take it. For the second straight game, the Spirits (45+) lit up the scoreboard in the first inning, this time putting up a 7-spot to route the Knights in game two of the early NTABL Masters (45+) Division.
The Spirits used 17 hits to cruise to a 13 to 3 victory behind solid pitching from both starter, Jonathan Duran and reliever, Kevin Simmons. The duo combined for just 5 hits, allowing 3 earned while walking one batter each.
Travis Hitzeman led the Spirits offense with a 3-for-3 performance that included a double and 3 runs scored. Several Spirits hitters finished with 2 hits on the day, including Eric McPherson, Kirk Sipila, Shawn Lee, and Matt Crowell. Will Nash doubled and scored while also knocking in a pair of runs, while Simmons added a hit, run scored, a walk, and 3 runs batted in. Lee also added a run scored and a pair of runs batted in, while Mike Sopocy finished with a hit, a pair of walks, runs scored, and runs batted in.
Despite a pair of hits in the top half of the first inning for the Knights, Duran and company were able to get off the field and then the offense opened up. McPherson led off with a single and Sipila made it two straight. Hitzeman followed with a single but McPherson was tagged on trying to get home following a great relay from the outfield. Dale Baird reached on an error to fill the bags and Lee popped out to the infield to hold the runners. Sopocy’s RBI single scored the first two runs with two outs after Sipila and Hitzeman scored, and the flood gates opened up. Simmons knocked home Baird with a single and Crowell reached on another single. Will Nash then doubled home both Sopocy and Simmons before Cliff Brade followed with another double to score both Crowell and Nash. Scott Baxley flew out to end the inning but the Spirits held a 7 to 0 advantage after one.
The Knights broke the ice in the top half of the third after Dewey Leggett drew a walk and Rodger Battani reached on a Spirits fielding error. Javier Rodriguez reached on a fielder’s choice that put out Battani at second and after Rodriguez stole second, Leggett was able to score on a sacrifice fly ball by Harlen McCaskey. Chad McCune grounded out before the Knights were able to gain any additional momentum.
The Spirits answered in the bottom of the inning after Sipila and Hitzeman led off with back-to-back singles. Baird then reached on a fielder’s choice that squeezed Sipila at third base. Lee singled home Hitzeman and both runners stole to advance into scoring position. Sopocy drew another walk before Simmons reached on a Knights fielding error that allowed both Baird and Lee to score. Crowell then singled home Sopocy to make it 11 to 1, Spirits before Nash reached on a fielder’s choice that put out Simmons at third while Crowell crossed the dish. Brade drew a base-on-balls and Baxley followed with a single to load the bags but Vinny Diciero flew out to end the inning before the Spirits could put up more.
The Knights scored another pair of runs in the fourth but the Spirits held them the rest of the way before adding run number 13 in the fifth after Hitzeman led things off with a double and Lee singled him home to give the game its final score.
“Solid win again and the offense clicking early,” Lee discussed after the game. “Our lineup is loaded and when we’re hitting, teams are in trouble. There are a lot of mouths to feed so to speak, but any guy in this order could be in the top four hitters. Good to see Jon (Duran) and Kevin (Simmons) were pitching well and overall, our defense played well. Hopefully, we’ll keep this style of play going.”
The Spirits return to the diamond next Monday night when they visit the North Dallas Expos. First pitch is scheduled for 8:45PM at Cowboy Field and fans can click here for schedule details.
Ranger Fire, Inc. Players of the Game
Travis Hitzeman (3-3, 2B, 3 R)
Mike Sopocy (1-1, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 RBI)
Kevin Simmons (1-2, R, 3 RBI, BB; 2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, BB)