(June 8, 2026 – Coppell, TX) The Spirits (45+) squad used another first inning run to help carry them to a win over the Red Sox on Monday night in NTABL Masters Division play.
Dale Baird and Earl German each finished with a pair of hits to help lead the offense, with Baird adding a double, walk, runs cored and a pair of runs batted in. German also drew a walk and knocked in a pair of runs while also adding a stolen bag. Travis Hitzeman finished the night with a double and scored once as the ghosts picked up a 7 to 4 win.
Mike Sopocy was once again brilliant on the mound, allowing 2 earned off 6 hits while walking one and striking out 3 on his way to another complete-game win.
In the top half of the first, Eric McPherson led off with a single and then stole second base. Kirk Sipila singled to temporarily move McPherson to third before he was able to score on an error by the Red Sox right fielder. Hitzeman was then hit by a pitch before Baird doubled deep to the wall to score both Sipila and Hitzeman. Dee Mauldin singled home Baird before Shawn Lee grounded out to move Mauldin all the way to third. Kevin Simmons followed with an RBI single to make it 5 to 0 and the Spirits never looked back.
The Red Sox made a little noise after putting up 2 runs in the second and fourth innings, but insurance runs by the Spirits in the fourth and the sixth kept the game out of reach. The Spirits return to action next Monday night when they visit the Hurricanes on Cowboy Field at 6:30PM. Fans can click here for schedule details.
Ranger Fire, Inc. Players of the Game
Dale Baird (1-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI, BB)
Earl German (2-2, 2 RBI, BB, SB)
Mike Sopocy (6 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, BB, 3 K; 0-1, 2 BB)