(September 10, 2023 – Coppell, TX) The Spirits (40+) used a fast start to eventually cruise to an 8 to 4 win over the Hurricanes in NTABL Brazos Fall Ball action on Sunday.
Kent Fischer picked up the win in his first start as a Spirit, tossing for 4 innings while allowing 3 earned off of 6 hits, while walking 2 and striking out none. Mike Sopocy closed things out, adding a pair of innings worked, allowing just a hit and striking out 4.
Eric McPherson led the Spirits offense once again, adding a 3-for-3 performance, scoring 3 times, walking once, and swiping a pair of bases. Fischer added a pair of hits and 2 runs scored, while Sopocy added a pair of hits, a walk, 2 runs scored, and 2 runs batted in. Will Nash belted a pair of doubles and also added a run batted in to help lead the Spirits offense.
After setting the Hurricanes in order in the top half of the first, McPherson led the Spirits half of the inning with a single. Shawn Lee flew out and McPherson moved to second base on a passed ball. A single by Fischer moved McPherson to third and 3 pitches later, Fischer swiped second to put both runners in scoring position. Eric Goetz reached on a dropped third strike that allowed McPherson to score on the passed ball, and a follow up RBI single by Sopocy scored both Fischer and Goetz. Nash then doubled home Sopocy before Lester Bedford grounded out and David Tipton flew out to end the inning with the Spirits up, 4 to 0.
The Hurricanes rallied for a pair of runs in the second inning after Jim Crombie singled and Ben Northcutt followed with a single. Both runners were able to advance after Goetz misjudged the fly ball that bounced over him and went to the wall. Crombie was then able to score after McPherson missed a throw from Bedford on a steal by Northcutt, and Northcutt was able to take third on the play. Chance Oliver grounded out and Northcutt scored after moving to third and after Chad McCune grounded out. David Brounoff then grounded out to end the Canes half of the inning.
The Spirits earned the two runs back in the bottom of the second inning after McPherson reached on a one-out single. McPherson moved to second after a pick-off attempt went to the fence. Lee flew out again but a single by Fischer put runners on the corners with two outs. Goetz followed with an RBI single to score McPherson, and a single by Sopocy loaded the bags. Fischer later scored on a passed ball before Nash was called out on a pitch 6 inches off the plate in the left-handed batter’s box to end the inning.
The Hurricanes rallied for another run in the third after Michael Swann drew a one-out walk. Sean Judge singled and Fischer followed by hitting the next two hitters to allow Swann to score before getting Vince Parello to ground into a double-play to kill the rally.
The Hurricanes added another run in the fourth to cut the Spirits lead to, 6 to 4 after Crombie led the inning off by wearing another pitch from Fischer. Crombie swiped second base and was later picked off after taking a large lead. Northcutt singled and Oliver grounded out, but back-to-back singles by McCune and Thomas Mohlner allowed Northcut to score before Brounoff grounded out to end the rally.
The Spirits made it 7 to 4 in the bottom half of the inning after Sopocy drew a two-out walk and moved to third when Nash doubled. Bedford and Tipton both drew walks to allow Sopocy to score before Jason Reyes lost a battle of strikes with the bases juiced.
The Spirits turned to Sopocy to lock down the game, and despite a leadoff single by Jamie Byers, nobody else would reach base the remainder of the game. The Spirits added their eighth and final run in the fifth after McPherson walked and stole both second and third, and then later scored on an RBI single by Lee.
The Spirits return to action next Thursday when they face the Rough Riders on Cowboy Field in Coppell. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30PM and fans can click here for schedule details or to listen to the game live online.
Central Roofing and Restoration Players of the Game
Kent Fischer (2-4, 2 R, SB; 4 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB)
Eric McPherson (3-3, 3 R, BB, 2 SB)
Mike Sopocy (2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB; 2 IP, 0 R, H, 0 BB, 4 K)
Will Nash (2-3, 2 2B, RBI)