(May 30, 2026 – Carrollton, TX) It didn’t take the Spirits (50+) squad long to realize losing to the Strangers earlier in the season was a fluke. The team used a 5-run first inning and simply never looked back as they cruised to a 13 to 0 blowout mercy-ruled win this past Saturday facing a team that didn’t even appear it wanted to be out on the diamond.
Kent Fischer finished 3-for-3 adding 2 runs, 2 RBIs and a walk while Vince Parello finished 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, a run scored, and 4 runs batted in. Dee Mauldin rounded off the stars in the game’s box score adding a 2-for-3 performance with a triple, 2 runs scored, a run batted in, a walk, and a stolen bag. Kirk Sipila also tripled, scored 3 times and added a run batted in and a walk.
Mike Sopocy pitched another gem, getting back at the team that forced a comeback and a walk-off in the first meeting. Sopocy nearly finished with a shortened-game no-hitter but a Spirits fielding blunder allowed for an infield pop-up to drop to break up the no-no in the fifth. Sopocy gave up just 2 mediocre singles, one really, while walking zero and striking out 3.
“Sopocy was fire today,” Shawn Lee commented afterwards. “Guys brought their bats today and honestly, it was never a game. It’s great to see Mike when he’s dealing and a few of these guys staying hot in the batter’s box. We’ll need to keep that rolling and stay refined on defense down the stretch to finish on top.”
The Spirits return to action next Saturday when they host the Wildcats starting at 9:00AM on field #10 at McInnish Park. Fans can click here for game details or to listen live online.
Ranger Fire, Inc. Players of the Game
Kent Fischer (3-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB)
Vince Parello (2-4, 2 2B, R, 4 RBI)
Dee Mauldin (2-3, 3B, 2 R, RBI, BB, SB)
Mike Sopocy (5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K)