(May 9, 2026 – Carrollton, TX) Light winds and rising humidity made it a beautiful day for baseball and the Spirits (50+) squad grinded to a fast start Saturday morning against the Oilers. The Oilers’ defense struggled a bit, finishing up with a total of 6 errors that proved to be the difference in the game as the ghosts walked away with a 10 to 6 win.
Mike Sopocy finished 3-for-3 at the plate and scored and knocked in a run and picked up the victory on the mound with another complete game. Sopocy threw six innings and allowed 5 earned against 8 hits, while walking and striking out 4.
Brian Kellner finished 2-for-3 with a double and 2 runs scored, and Ben Northcutt added a pair of hits, run scored, and a pair of runs batted in. Earl German added 2 hits, a run scored, and an RBI, and Stacy Scott also finished with two hits.
After setting the Oilers in order in the top half of the first, Eric McPherson led the Spirits offense with a single but was caught leaning during a pick-off attempt from Oilers starting pitcher, James Hardt. First baseman, Craig Holmes caught the pick-off and relayed to Brad Petty at second to tag our McPherson. Kirk Sipila followed with a walk and a double by Kellner moved him to third before Dee Mauldin grounded out, good enough to score Sipila. Sopocy then singled home Kellner and after swiping second, he was able to score when Kent Fischer reached on an error by Petty at second. Steven Nutt drew a walk and a single by Northcutt scored Fischer. Eric Reifschneider was hit by a pitch to load the bags but Vince Parello flew out to right field to strand three.
The Oilers scrapped their way back in the top of the second when Holmes led things off with a double to deep right field and advanced to third on a single by Brad Bryant. Hardt walked them loaded and a walk to Jonathan Sessions scored Holmes for a free run. Allan Ward then reached on a fielder’s choice that put out Hardt at third but Bryant was able to score and after Sopocy struck out Petty, Chris Allen singled to score Sessions to make it 4 to 3. Sopocy was able to get Rob Romero looking and to uphold the lead.
The ghosts made it 5 to 3 in the bottom frame after German led off with a single and moved to second when Scott singled as well. McPherson reached on an error to load the bases and Sipila made it hurt with an RBI single to score German. Scott was tagged out at third on the play and Hardt was able to get Kellner to fly out before getting Mauldin to ground out.
The Spirits added 3 more in the third inning when Sopocy started things with a single and Fischer replaced him at second following a fielder’s choice that put out Sopocy. A single by Nutt scored Fischer after he stole second base and Nutt was able to take third after a pick-off attempt from Hardt got away from Holmes at first. Reifschneider walked and then Parello was hit by a pitch and the Spirits made it hurt again when German reached on another fielding error that allowed Reifschneider to score. Scott flew out with the bags loaded and the Spirits again left three runners stranded as the game moved to the fourth inning.
The Oilers scratched their way back to cut the lead to 8 to 6 with a little help from the Spirits’ errant defense starting with a single by Sessions. Sessions swiped second base and moved to third after Ward singled. Petty reached on an error by Reifschneider at second that allowed Session home and another RBI single by Allen scored Ward. Romero then reached on a fielder’s choice that put out Petty and Nash followed suit when Allen was forced out at third by the Spirits defense. Holmes then reached on another Spirits fielding error that allowed Romero to score and the Oilers were back in it. Sopocy then walked Bryant to fill the bags but won the battle against Hardt after getting him to fly out.
The Spirits added a run in the bottom frame after Kellner singled with two outs and Mauldin reached again on another Oilers fielding error. Sopocy singled the bags full and a walk to Fischer gave the Spirits a free insurance run before Nutt flew out to stand three runners for the third time during the contest.
The Spirits defense and Sopocy held the game in check the rest of the way, and the ghosts added another insurance run in the bottom of the fifth after Northcutt singled and moved to second when Reifschneider grounded out. Parello popped out to the infield but German singled home Northcutt before Scott reached on his second single of the day but McPherson grounded out to end the scoring.
“Solid work to finish it up today,” Shawn Lee commented afterwards. “We left a lot of guys on base today. We can’t continue to do that and expect to get a win. If they don’t kick it around today, this game is a lot closer. We’re got to find ways to take advantage when guys get on base. That’s the true key to winning and being consistent. We’ll take the win but we’ll need to pick it up next time.”
The team returns to action next Saturday when they play host to first place Redbirds at 9AM. The game will take place at McInnish Park, Field #10 and fans can click here for schedule details.
Ranger Fire, Inc. Players of the Game
Mike Sopocy (3-3, R, RBI, SB; 6 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 4 BB, 4 K)
Ben Northcutt (2-2, R, 2 RBI, SAC)
Earl German (2-3, R, RBI)