(September 27, 2017 – Dallas, TX) The same offense that put up 18 runs just a few days prior failed to display it’s ugly, steam-rolling machine head on Tuesday night as the Spirits (Trinity) squad fell to another NTABL powerhouse in the form of the Oak Cliff Pelicans at Reverchon Park in Uptown, Dallas.
Spirits hitters were blanked in the first two innings of play, despite a walk and a hit-by-pitch that allowed runners to reach base. Pelicans pitcher, Fraser Thomas seemed to have the Spirits number, as he struck out 3 of the 6 outs his team forced in the first two innings. In the bottom half of the third, the Pelicans offense found an opening in the crafty pitches being delivered from summer team ace, Duane Aponte. The birds rallied with a single by Greg Borum to start the inning before Aponte was able to get Jake Berman to ground out. Jayson Ruhlman followed with a single to put runners on the corners with one out, and Brum was able to score on a wild pitch to give the Pelicans a 1 to 0 lead. Jesse Oropeza also singled to again put runners on the corners and Jimmy Von Thron drew a 4-pitch walk to load the bases. Joe Bateman used the opportunity to drill a 1-1 single to score Ruhlman and Aponte was able to get Lorenzo McEwan and Lyndon Britt to ground out, however Oropeza was able to score on the first of the two ground balls.
Down 3 to 0, the Spirits really didn’t find any offensive life support to make a game of it. Aponte settled in and kept Oak Cliff hitters at bay the rest of the way, but Fraser did a bit of the same, holding Spirits hitters to just 2 hits on the evening, while walking 4 and striking another Spirits hitter with a pitch. Fraser finished the night with 6 strikeouts on his way to a complete game shutout.
The loss drops the Spirits to 3-1 on the fall season, where they remain in a virtual tie for first place in the NTABL Trinity Division. The team returns to action on Sunday when they visit the Texas Renegades. First pitch is slated for 4:30PM. Click here to view schedule details or to watch the game live, online.
Waxahachie Autoplex Players of the Game
Duane Aponte (6 IP, 11 H, 3 ER, 3 K, BB)
JP Seider (1-2, HBP)