(May 22, 2017 – Carrollton, TX) The Dallas Spirits (45+) found the win column again Monday night as they hosted the 2016 defending champion, Caddo Reds at Graham Field on the grounds of Prestonwood Christian Academy in Carrollton. The team used 9 hits to plate 13 runs and they essentially steam-rolled the Reds in a game that no longer became a contest after the first inning.
After picking up a run in the first inning, the Reds sent pitcher, Brett Baker to the mound and the Spirits stuck immediately. Both David Tipton and Shawn Lee drew walks to start things off. Tipton took third on a passed ball and later scored on another, while Lee stole second. Earl German reached on an error and later took second on another passed ball. Kirk Sipila followed with a single to score Lee, advancing German to third. Dennis Gonzalez followed with a ground out that was good enough to score German, and Chris Lewis follow up by doubling to right-center field to score Sipila. Brian Hackney walked and Patrick Bilgere then singled to score Lewis and the Spirits were cruising 5 to 1. The scoring wasn’t finished, however. Jack Nash walked after Hackney was caught in a run down at second, and Mark Leemaster then doubled down the right field line to score Bilgere. Tipton came up for his second at-bat within the inning and also singled to score Nash and the score was 7 to 1 after the first inning when Baker was finally able to get Lee to fly out to right.
The Reds followed with an additional run in the second, but pitcher John Holmquist was on and his command and control seemed to be in good standing as he was able to retire most of the Reds hitters he faced. Holmquist was good for 5 complete innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, walking 2 and striking out 3. German closed things off in the sixth and final inning by allowing one hit and retiring the remaining hitters he faced, including one strikeout.
The victory lifts the Spirits record to 6-1, where they remain atop the NTABL Masters League Standings. Offensively, Tipton and Gonzelez led the Spirits, each with two hits, a walk, and an RBI. Tipton finished with 3 runs scored, while Gonzalez scored once. Sipila finished 1 for 3 with a walk, a run scored, and 2 RBI, while German finished going 1 for 2 with a double, 2 walks, a run scored, and one run batted in. Bilgere also went 1 for 2 with a walk, 2 runs scored an an RBI, while Lewis and Leemaster each finished with a double, both going 1 for 3, with a run scored, and an RBI.
The team returns to action in two weeks as they’ll remain idol for Memorial Day weekend. They’ll host the Dallas Bulls at Jesuit College Preparatory in Dallas, with a 7:00PM first pitch.
Waxahachie Autoplex Players of the Game
David Tipton (2-3, BB, 3 R, RBI, SB)
Dennis Gonzalez (2-4, R, RBI)
John Holmquist (5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 K, 2 BB)