17-Hit Attack Leads to Dissipation of Hurricanes

(June 16, 2025 – Coppell, TX) The Spirits (45+) hitting system turned from a watch to a warning Monday night, brewing a Category 5 storm of offense large enough to wipe out the Hurricanes in shutout fashion. With 17 hits and 13 runs across six innings, the ghosts put the game away early and never looked back in NTABL Masters (45+) Division action.

It was a game that looked more like a weather report than a ballgame—sunny at first pitch and total devastation shortly thereafter. The Spirits put up 2 quick runs in the first inning, followed by a torrential downpour of 6 runs in the second, and added consistent pressure over the next few frames before cruising to a 13 to 0 victory.

Jonathan Duran picked up another win, picking up the ball to start and delivered another solid outing, pitching 3 scoreless innings while allowing just 3 hits, walking one, and striking out a batter. Earl German took over from there and closed the door, adding 3 more shutout innings of his own while striking out 3 and scattering 4 hits to seal the win.

At the plate, there were severe warnings and chances of heavy offense throughout the lineup. Eric McPherson provided the lightning with a 3-for-4 night that included a triple, 2 RBIs, and 2 runs scored. Kevin Simmons brought the thunder with a 2-run homer in the fourth inning and added an RBI double in the sixth, finishing 2-for-4 with 3 driven in, and Dee Mauldin added a 3-hit night of his own, including a double and 2 RBIs. Mike Sopocy rounded out the offensive damage, finishing 3-for-3 with a walk, and pair of runs scored.

The top of the lineup was relentless, starting with Clifford Brade leading off with a pair of hits and a stolen base, scoring twice to help fuel the early spark. After Brade reached on an error in the first, he promptly swiped second before McPherson roped a triple to plate him. Shawn Lee grounded out but was able to pick up an RBI when McPherson scored, giving the Spirits a 2 to 0 lead after one.

The second inning saw the Hurricanes concede to a much larger storm brewing on the offensive side of the dish. Sopocy walked and stole second before German flew out to record the first out. Hunt followed with a free pass of his own, and Stacy Scott‘s single kept things moving by loading the bags for Duran. Duran helped his own cause with a 2-run single to make it 4 to 0 before Brade followed up with another hit to keep the eye of the storm churning. McPherson stayed hot with an RBI single that plated Scott, and Lee followed up by roping another base knock to drive home Duran and Brade. Mauldin and Sopocy added back-to-back hits to keep the offensive storm growing after Lee was able to score and after all the dust settled, it was 8 to 0, Spirits.

The Spirits added more insurance in the fourth after McPherson singled and Lee replaced him at first after reaching on a fielder’s choice. Simmons then proceeded to send a moonshot into orbit over the left field wall for a 2-run blast that scored both him and Lee to make it 10 to 0. Mauldin and Sopocy both followed with singles and later scored on a 2-run single by Hunt, who finished with 2 RBIs on the night. The final run for the Spirits came in the sixth after Simmons led off with a double and then scored on Mauldin’s RBI two-bagger.

Every Spirits hitter reached base in the game, and 8 different players recorded hits as the offense never let up. Sopocy stayed perfect on the night, going 3-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base. Duran helped both at the plate and on the bump, while German looked sharp in relief to keep the shutout intact.

“We’ve been hinting at this kind of game,” Lee commented, postgame. “Our guys have been putting good swings together, and tonight we just strung everything. We applied pressure early, and it snowballed. When that happens, it’s contagious, and everyone just locks in.”

With the win, the Spirits continue their climb in the standings while keeping their eyes focused on consistency—and clear skies.

The team returns to action next Monday night when they host the Knights once again at Cowboy Field in Coppell. First pitch is slated for 8:45PM and fans can click here for schedule details or to download the iScore Central app to listen to the game live.

Game Box Score