(June 29, 2026 – Coppell, TX) After an earlier season loss to the North Dallas Expos, the Spirits (45+) squad used a fast start to put the Expos on notice before absolutely burying the team in the remaining 3 innings. After putting up 2 runs in the first, the Spirits offense added 6, 7, and 4-run innings to complete a 19 to 0 beat down of the Expos in just 4 innings of work.
The Spirits offense put up 15 hits over those 4 innings while starting pitcher, Mike Sopocy left the Expos offense with nothing. Sopocy only needed 3 innings to allow just 2 hits on the night while walking 2 and striking out 25% of the hitters he faced, finishing with 5.
Team batting leader, Cliff Brade finished the nigh with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, adding a triple, 3 runs scored, 3 runs batted in, a walk and a stolen bag. Kirk Sipila also finished 3-for-3, adding 3 runs scored, 2 batted in, and a walk, while Eric McPherson rounded off the top end of the box score finishing 2-for-2 with a triple, 2 runs scored, 4 runs batted in and a walk. Dale Baird also had a 2-for-2 night, adding a double and 3 runs batted in. Brian Kellner also finished with a double and 2 runs scored while Sopocy aided his shutdown night on the mound by adding a single, 2 runs scored, 2 runs batted in, and a stolen bag before the dust settled.
“That was just an old fashioned ass-whoopin’,” mentioned Shawn Lee after the game. “Offense was clicking tonight and they simply had no answer. It’s fun to watch this team when everything is working; pitching, defense, and arguably the best offensive team in DFW. They got the best of us with a walk-off win earlier in the season, so it was nice to express a little dominance this time around.”
The Spirits remain atop the NTABL Masters Division with a 10-2-1 record and have already clinched the number one seed as the season winds down and heads to the playoffs. The team returns to action next Monday night as they host the Red Sox at Cowboy Field starting at 8:45PM. Fans can click here for schedule details.
Ranger Fire, Inc. Players of the Game
Cliff Brade (3-3, 3B, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB, SB)
Kirk Sipila (3-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB)
Eric McPherson (2-2, 3B, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB)
Mike Sopocy (1-2, 2 R, 2 RBI, HBP; 3 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K)