(June 10, 2024 – Coppell, TX) The Spirits (45+) was able to dodge the Dallas monsoons this past Monday night, actually getting the opportunity to take the field to play baseball once again. What turned out to be essentially the same game the two teams have played in roughly the past five contests, we’ll label this one a pitcher’s duel. The Spirits were only able to scatter 5 hits on the night as the Knights were only able to obtain 3 of their own as the Spirits eventually picked up a 5 to 4 win following Kent Fischer‘s late game walk-off, sacrifice fly.
Despite 6 walks given up to Spirits hitters by Knights starter, Tim Trout, he and his defense were able to stave off scoring opportunities, forcing the Spirits to leave 8 runners stranded throughout the game. Three errors in the field proved to be timely as the Spirits defense helped keep the Knights in the game despite starter, Ryan Marsland‘s gem from the hill. Marsland threw for 5 innings, allowing 0 earned runs on 3 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 7. Marsland also finished with a pair of hits and a run scored to help carry the team to victory.
Marsland held the Knights hitless until late in the third inning after Michael Kubik was able to reach on a dropped third strike. He was replaced by Rodger Battani at first after Battani reached on a fielder’s choice that squeezed Kubick at second base. Scott Bale then singled and Trout later reached on an fielder’s choice that put out Battani at second but allowed Bale to score to give the Knights a 1 to 0 lead. Javier Rodriguez walked and Sean Smith singled to load the bases, but Marsland was able to get Scott McCain to fly out to hold off any additional scoring.
In the bottom half of the inning, it appeared that the lackluster offense was going to continue for the Spirits after David Tipton flew out and Earl German drew a walk. Eric McPherson also flew out, and after German stole second base, Kirk Sipila drew a walk to put two on with two out. Enter Travis Hitzeman. Hitzeman worked a 1-1 count into a 3-run homerun that still hasn’t landed after clearing the left field wall at Cowboys Field amidst cheers from his teammates and the team dugout to give the ghosts a 3 to 1 advantage.
The 2 run lead lasted until the fifth inning after Battani and Bale both reached on back-to-back Spirits fielding errors. A single by Trout scored both runners to tie the game at 3 to 3. Trout was able to advance to second on a throw to the plate that was easily going to cut down Bale, but the ball bounced off of the turf and over catcher, Shawn Hunt allowing Trout the extra base. Rodriguez grounded out and Smith went down on swings, but McCain later reached on an error that allowed Trout to score to give the Knights a 4 to 3 advantage.
The Spirits later tied the game in the bottom half of the fifth after Fischer drew a walk and Stacy Scott singled. Tipton dropped a perfect bunt that allowed him an infield single to load the bases before German flew out, but unfortunately not deep enough to plate a run. McPherson then hit a dribbler to third that cut down Fischer at the plate, but patience proved to be worth a run as Sipila drew an RBI walk before Trout was able to strike out Hitzeman with the bases loaded.
Tied at 4 to 4, the Spirits sent down the Knights in order and the game moved into the bottom half of the sixth with the league’s two hour game time limit coming into effect. Marsland led off the frame with a single and Shawn Lee was able to reach on an error that put two aboard for the ghosts. A sacrifice bunt by Mike Sopocy moved the runners over and set the table for Hunt. Hunt battled a few foul balls before the Knights decided to intentionally walk him to load the bases for Fischer, who was literally playing on one leg. Fischer had pulled his groin earlier in the game and wasn’t able to run. A pair of foul balls and a 3-2 count gave Fischer the opportunity to be the hero and he came through with a fly ball to center field that was deep enough to score Marsland on the sacrifice fly and the walk-off victory.
“Great job by Fish (Kent Fischer) to get us the win,” Lee commented after his team completed its celebration. “We weren’t very good tonight. A few guys played well, but collectively, we were once again in cruise control mode against this team. I’m not sure what it is about the Knights, but we do not play our best baseball against them. Got to give Travis (Hitzeman) credit for that bomb. That saved us. Then some patience at the plate really seemed to help late in the game and Kent’s big hit proved to be what we needed to get the win. That’s a big sac fly. If he makes an out any other way there, we’re looking at a tie, and nobody wants that. Great job to get the victory. Marsland pitched well enough to get that win, so I’m glad we came through.”
The Spirits return to action next Monday night when they visit the Hurricanes at Cowboys Field in Coppell. First pitch is scheduled for 8:45PM and fans can click here for schedule details.
Central Roofing and Restoration Players of the Game
Ryan Marsland (2-3, R; 5 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 7 K)
Travis Hitzeman (1-3, HR, R , 3 RBI)
Kirk Sipila (0-1, R, RBI, 2 BB)