Fast Start Key in Win over Redbirds

(May 16, 2026 – Carrollton, TX) The Spirits (50+) took advantage of some key mistakes by the Redbirds and exacerbated the situation with some key hits to pick up 6 runs in the first inning and went on to earn a 9 to 5 in Saturday to move just a game behind the lead in the 50-plus standings.

Kirk Sipila pitched an outstanding game for the ghosts, throwing for 5 and a third innings while allowing just 3 earned off 6 hits while walking 4 and striking out one. Sipila also added a double, a walk and a run batted in on offense. Mike Sopocy closed things off to secure the win, adding an inning and 2/3 allowing no runs, no hits, and walking one.

A two-run single by Phil Bosco gave the Redbirds the early lead in the top half of the first inning but the Spirits answered after Vince Parello drew a leadoff walk. Sipila also walked and after Brian Kellner reached on a fielder’s choice that put out Sipila at second base, the Spirits had runners on the corners with one down. Kent Fischer then reached on an error after a ball hit to second base went through the legs of Aaron Nowels. Parello was able to score on the play and after Fischer swiped second base, Sopocy grounded out for the second out of the inning. Kevin Simmons was then able to reach after Jerry Gamez dropped a fly ball in the infield and Todd Murrah made it hurt with a double to the gap that was good to score both Fischer and Simmons. Murrah later scored when Shawn Hunt was able to reach on another Redbirds fielding error , and after Ben Northcutt singled, Eric Reifschneider followed with an RBI single to score Hunt before Earl German went down swinging.

German’s exit wasn’t without consequence. After taking a pitch to move the count to 2-1, the Redbirds pitcher caught the relay from the catcher and immediately went into his delivery back home before German could settle in. German called but was not granted a timeout and took a strike on the quick pitch. There was a short delay as German argued with the plate umpire before stepping back into the box and swinging for strike three. A loud and well deserved rant followed and German was tossed from the game.

“I went out to ask for an explanation and simply didn’t get one,” Shawn Lee commented afterwards. “Steve (Stone) is a veteran pitcher. He knew what he was doing and I don’t really blame him. I think he was frustrated by his defense but it was a quick pitch. The umpire was still in his feels when I asked for an explanation as to why he didn’t grant timeout but it was ok to throw the quick pitch, which should have also been called a balk. He stumbled his words for a moment and I asked again about the quick pitch and he told me there was no quick pitch. I just looked at him and said this conversation is over. Earl deserved to be tossed. He earned it, but the call was egregious.”

With a 6 to 2 lead, Sipila continued to keep Redbirds hitters from big hits while his defense stood its ground playing well for the most part. The ghosts added another run in the second to make it 7 to 2 when Parello doubled with one out and then scored after Kellner singled him home.

The Redbirds picked up a run in the fourth to make it 7 to 3 when Rich Beller reached on an error before John Mahalik flew out. Gamez singled Beller to second base and after Bosco reached on an fielder’s choice that put out Beller at third, Gamez moved to third and Bosco to second when Northcutt attempted to fire to first after stepping on the bag and his throw missed the target. Gamez later scored to cut the lead to 4 runs.

The Redbirds added another run in the fifth after Mark Tierney walked and Stone was hit by a pitch. The Spirits turned a double play against Daron Wilkinson but Tierney made his way to third base and then scored following an error by Sopocy at third to make it a 7 to 4 game.

Things got a little heated again in the bottom half of the fifth inning when Lee tried to replace German in the lineup. Lee, out on an injury due to a tear in his right plantar fascia, asked to replace German to avoid the out from being tossed. The Redbirds did not grant the opportunity as Lee had not placed his name as a sub on the lineup, rather looking to gain the advantage of a free out rather than let an injured player bat.

“I lost it for a minute,” Lee mentioned. “There isn’t a single team in any league that would say no to that scenario. Not a single one. I guarantee it came from one player we know well and they used it as an advantage. I lost my composure and said a few things I regret. I apologized later and hope that the believed me. I should have handled it better but they know I would not have said no in that scenario if it were the other way around. No team would. They’re not wrong for saying no, but I just found it to be bush league in that moment. I just should have kept my trap shut. It just is what it is.”

Despite starting the inning with one out, the Spirits added another run to their cause after Stacy Scott led off with a single. he was put out at second when Parello reached on a fielder’s choice. Parello later scored on an double by Sipila to make it 8 to 4.

The Redibirds made it 8 to 5 in the sixth after Marcos Vidal III singled and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Stephen Smith. Kevin Fought singled to move him to third and a single by Beller scored him to make it 8 to 5. Mahalik was then hit by a pitch and Lee turned to Sopocy to slow things down. Sopocy was able to get Gamez to fly out before also getting Bosco to fly out to center field to stave off any additional scoring.

The Spirits added another insurance run in the sixth after Sopocy reached on a one-out single Simmons and Murrah followed with back-to-back singles to plate Sopocy and Sopocy went on to put down the Redbirds in the seventh despite a walk to Stone.

The win improves the Spirits record to 7-3 on the season, one game behind the Redbirds and Strangers for the top seed. The team returns to action next Saturday when they host the Strangers for a chance to move up a game. First pitch is slated for 11:45AM at McInnish Park, Field #10. Fans can click here for schedule details.

Game Box Score