(September 28, 2016 – Carrollton, TX) It was another round of big offense for the Spirits Fall baseball team as they handed it to the Red Sox once again, this time by a final of 14 to 3. The victory keeps the team atop the NTABL Fall Ball Brazos Division at a perfect 5-0.
Pitcher Jonathan Duran picked up his team-leading third victory and his continued hot-hitting supported the cause as the Spirits routed the Sox, outhitting them with 13 hits compared to 4. Duran went 5 innings, allowing 3 hits and 1 earned run on his way to striking out 5 batters. His clutch hitting also shined in a 2 for 3 performance featuring a triple, a single, a walk, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI.
“Duran has been hitting the (expletive) out of the ball this year,” mentioned skipper Shawn Lee following the game. “I don’t know what his wife is feeding him at home, but I may ask to stop in for dinner soon. He’s be solid from the mound as well and it seemed he had a bit tonight. I guess the saying is true. Happy wife, great batting average.”
Duran wasn’t the only contributor looking to shine Wednesday night at Graham Field. Second baseman, Michael Werner went deep once again sending a Ron Glenn hanging curveball over the left field wall for his second long ball of the season. Werner finished 2 for 4 with the bomb, a single, 2 runs scored, and 3 RBI. Several Spirits hitters added hits, including Craig Molldrem. Molldrem walked twice, tripled, scored twice, stole a base, and finished with an RBI.
Cliff Brade stole 3 bases on a 2 for 3 night which included 3 runs scored and an RBI. Brant Finchum doubled while going 2 for 4, finishing with a run scored and an RBI. Kyle Redinger struck out 2 hitters and walked one as he mopped up an inning for Dennis Gonzalez who made his debut pitching for the Fall squad. Gonzelez walked the bases loaded and was responsible for 2 earned runs before Redinger came in for clean up work. Redinger finished at 2 for 4 from the dish with a pair of RBIs. David Tipton singled, scored, and provided a run batted in and was able to close out the final inning, pitching one walk, one hit, and adding a strikeout as the defense assisted with closing out the game. Gonzalez finished 1 for 3 with a run scored, while Shawn Lee and Jordan Scott were the only Spirits hitters who failed to hit Red Sox pitching.
“The guys were great tonight. Can’t say that about my bat, but that’s how it rolls sometimes,” continued Lee. “If someone’s down, others step up. We’ve seen some great offense and hopefully we can continue with this run.” The team has put up 62 runs in 5 games, averaging just over 12 runs per game. Defensively, they’ve only given up 21, sporting an outstanding 41 run differential.
The Fall team returns to action Sunday as they visit the DFW Hurricanes at 4:15 PM at Graham Field located at Prestonwood Christian Academy.
Waxahachie Autoplex Players of the Game
#17 Jonathan Duran (2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 5 K)
#33 Michael Werner (2-4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI)