(April 25, 2026 – Carrollton, TX) Karl Murrah, affectionately known as “Todd” (no really, that’s his government name) put a stamp on his teammates using his real name after a solid day at the dish as well as behind the dish. Murrah caught for pitchers Kevin Simmons and Mike Sopocy and his defense and game calling were both on point to aid in the Spirits come-from-behind win over the Cubs on Saturday.
Murrah finished with a two hits including a double and a triple, also adding a run batted in to help change momentum and to help the team change a 6 to 1 deficit into a 10 to 6 victory for the Spirits (50+) squad following a huge 8-run third inning.
Steven Nutt added a pair of hits and a double plus 2 runs scored and Brian Kellner also added 2 hits and a double, finishing with a run scored and 2 more knocked in. Simmons added a triple, run scored, and run batted in to top off the Spirits offensive box score.
A walk by Kirk Sipila in the first followed by an error by the Cubs in the outfield gave the Spirits and early 1 to 0 lead. The Cubs rallied for 3 runs in the second and then 3 more in the top half of the third and with a 6 to 1 lead appeared to mean business.
Fortunately, the Spirits offense found some life and strung a series of hits together to take a 9 to 6 lead in the bottom frame after Stacy Scott reached on an error and Earl German drew a walk. Ben Northcutt singled home Scott, and German was able to score on an error by the Cubs outfield. Sipila followed with a single to load the bases and an RBI single from Kellner scored Northcutt to cut the lead to 6 to 4. Kent Fischer flew out deep enough to score Nutt on an RBI sacrifice fly and Sipila was able to score on a throwing error by Anthony Hamilton relaying the ball back from the outfield. Simmons hit a triple to the wall that scored Kellner and another sacrifice fly by Sopocy plated Simmons. Hunt doubled and then scored on a triple by Murrah before Eric Reifschneider flew out to end the rally.
A pair of doubles by Nutt and Kellner added run number 10 in the fifth inning and shutdown pitching from Sopocy to close the game slammed the door on any chances of a Cubs comeback. Simmons started the game and went 3 innings, allowing 5 earned off 9 hits while walking 2 and striking out 4. Sopocy shut it down with 4 innings of work, allowing 0 runs off just 3 hits while walking 0 and striking out 5.
The team returns to action next Saturday when they visit Metroflex at McInnish Park, Field #11. First pitch is scheduled for 9:00AM and fans can click here for schedule details.
Ranger Fire, Inc. Players of the Game
Brian Kellner (2-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI)
Todd Murrah (2-3, 2B, 3B, RBI)
Mike Sopocy (0-2, SAC, RBI; 4 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 5 K)