(July 13, 2024 – Carrollton, TX) The Spirits (50+) squad turned a 3 to 1 game into another blowout win as the ghosts rallied for 8 runs in the fourth inning following a 17-hit outburst that allowed the team to cruise to an 11 to 1 mercy-ruled victory over the Aces in DFW-ABA 50 League action.
Shawn Lee and Kent Fischer each finished 3-for-3 on the day, with Lee adding a double while scoring a pair of runs and also knocking in a pair. Fischer scored once and knocked in 3 runs, while Eric McPherson and Vince Parello also joined the box score highlights, each adding a double and a base hit. McPherson scored once and added an RBI while Parello scored twice and also added an RBI. Brian Hackney also added two hits including a double, scoring once and adding a pair of runs batted in. Pitcher, Mike Sopocy picked up the shortened completed-game victory, tossing for 5 innings and allowing 0 earned on just 3 hits while striking out 2 and walking none.
The Aces picked up an early 1 to 0 lead in the top half of the first after Julio Perez led the game off with a single. Eric Reifschneider reached on an error that allowed him to reach third base but Perez was gunned down at the plate after the ball was relayed from the outfield. A sacrifice fly by Jonathan Session allowed Reifschneider to score in what would prove to be the Aces only run.
In the bottom frame, McPherson led off the inning with a double and then moved to third when Lee singled Kirk Sipila flew out and after Lee swiped second base, both runners scored when Fischer followed up with an RBI single. Steven Nutt kept the inning rolling with a single and after he stole second, Sopocy singled to give the ghosts two on with two out, but Aces starting pitcher, Jaime Rangel was able to get Hackney to fly out to prevent any further scoring.
The Spirits added run number three in the second inning to make it 3 to 1 after Parello reached on a one-out single and then later stole second base. Kevin Simmons singled to move Parello to third and an RBI single by McPherson scored him before Lee singled to load the bags. Sipila then flew out but the inning quickly ended when Simmons was picked at third not realizing there was only one out.
The game remained quiet until the fourth inning when the Spirits offense opened up the game. Hackney led off with a double but Stacy Scott lost a battle of strikes to record the first out. Parello’s RBI double scored Hackney, and Simmons followed with a single. The Aces turned to Session to relieve Rangel, and he was able to get McPherson to fly out after both Spirits runners advanced on a wild pitch. Lee then doubled to score both Parello and Simmons. Lee moved to third on a passed ball and after Sipila drew a walk, Lee later scored on another passed ball. Shawn Hunt then doubled home Sipila and later moved to third on another passed ball. Fischer scored Hunt with an RBI single to make it 9 to 1, Spirits and the scoring continued after Nutt singled and Sopocy drew a base-on-balls to load the bags. Hackney’s RBI single scored both Fischer and Nutt to make it 11 to 1 before Scott grounded out to end the inning.
Jose Martinez was able to reach on a Spirits fielding error in the top half of the fifth but Sopocy was able to take David Welsh, Ken Earp, and Perez in order to close out the mercy-ruled victory.
“Great looking offense today,” Lee mentioned afterwards. Pretty difficult to lose if your team puts up 17 hits. Guys are swinging it and we’re looking to close out the regular season on a roll. A few big games left to close it up before the postseason and we look forward to the challenge.”
The team returns to action next Saturday when they visit the undefeated Redbirds. First pitch is scheduled for 9:00AM at McInnish Park, Field #11. Fans can click here for schedule details.
Central Roofing and Restoration Players of the Game
Shawn Lee (3-3, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB)
Kent Fischer (3-3, R, 3 RBI)
Vince Parello (2-2, 2B, 2 R, RBI, SB)