(October 6, 2025 – Dallas, TX) The Spirits (45+) squad finally ran into a lull on offense but the team was fortunately to find a rally late in the game to come from behind to win 8 to 5 against the Knights on Monday night.
Pitcher, Jonathan Duran had a solid outing with minimal run support from his offense, going 5 innings while allowing 4 earned off 11 scattered hits, while walking one. Vinny Diciero added to innings of shutout baseball to earn the win late, allowing no runs and no hits while walking one, and striking out a pair.
Brian Kellner and Shawn Lee each added a pair of hits with Kellner scoring twice and Lee scoring once. Earl German finished the night with a hit, run scored, and a pair of runs batted in while Kevin Simmons finished 1-for-2 with a run scored and run batted in, and Stacy Scott added a 1-for-1 night with a walk, run scored, and 2 runs batted in. Scott was also spectacular behind the plate, calling a great game for both pitchers and provided perfect defense on several occasions throughout the game, including a putout at second on an attempted steal.
Lorenzo McEwen led off the game with a double and then later scored when Harlan McCaskey added an RBI single to give the Knights and early 1 to 0 lead.
The Spirits countered in the bottom frame when Kellner reached on a 2-out single and moved to second on a single by Lee. Diciero made it three straight and an RBI single by Simmons scored Kellner before Chris Lewis flew out with the bags filled to strand 3 runners.
The Knights added 2 more runs in the second to take a 3 to 1 lead before the Spirits countered again in the bottom frame to cut the lead to, 3 to 2. German and Eric Landsberger both reached on errors by the Knights and after Duran reached on a fielder’s choice that squeezed German at third. Both runners were able to advance following a double-steal and Lansburger later scored on a sacrifice fly ball by Scott before Eric McPherson lined out to strand another Spirit on the base paths.
With the Spirits offense struggling to gain traction, the Knights built on their one run lead by adding 2 more runs in the fifth inning. McEwen led off with a single before McCaskey flew out but a single by Chad McCune gave the Knights two on with one out. Matthew Lawley grounded out but both runners were able to advance on the play and the move proved worthwhile following a double by Sean Smith that scored both runners to give the Knights a 5 to 2 lead before Michael Miller drew a walk and Rodger Battani grounded out to end the frame.
The Spirits rallied for a run in the bottom of the fifth when Lansburger singled but was cut down when Duran grounded into a double-play. Scott drew a walk and the Knights turned to Smith to replace Lawley on the mound. Scott moved over on a wild pitch and then scored on an RBI single by McPherson before Dee Mauldin lost a battle on strikes to end the inning.
Diciero shut down the Knights in the sixth and the Spirits offense rose to the occasion after Kellner singled and Lee reached on an error. Diciero flew out but Simmons was hit by a pitch to load the bags. Lewis flew out to the infield and it appeared the Spirits may strand another 3 runners, however, German singled to right field and it was good enough to score both Kellner and Lee to tie the game. Lansburger drew a walk to keep the inning alive and Duran was able to reach on what appeared would be a sure out on a ground ball hit to short, but Miller was unable to come up with the ball and both Simmons and German were able to score. Scott followed with an RBI single that scored Lansburger before McPherson flew out with the Spirits now leading by a score of 8 to 5.
Diciero was able to shut down the Knights in order to secure the victory.
“Great comeback win,” Lee mentioned afterwards. “Vinny (Diciero) got it done at the end and our defense stepped up to secure a win. It was ugly but sometimes you just take the victory no matter how it looks. Stacy (Scott) was solid all night but what won’t be seen in the box score was his defense. He really did a great job behind the dish tonight and we don’t win this game tonight without his contributions. Great job by everyone to hang in there and to get away from this one with a W.”
The ghosts return to action next Monday night when they visit the Rough Riders at Cowboy Field in Coppell. First pitch is at 7:00PM and fans can click here for schedule details.
Ranger Fire, Inc. Players of the Game
Stacy Scott (1-1, BB, R, 2 RBI)
Earl German (1-3, BB, R, 2 RBI)
Vinny Diciero (1-3; 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, BB, 2 K)