(July 1, 2024 – Coppell, TX) Momentum can be a special thing when applied appropriately. Unfortunately, for the Jekyll and Hyde Spirits (45+) squad, momentum lasted a single game last Monday as this past Monday’s team showed up in what appeared to be a massive hangover in their match-up with the Knights in NTABL Masters (45+) Division play. The team scattered 9 hits on the night, leaving bases loaded several times while moving in lethargic fashion from both sides of the diamond.
Eric McPherson, Travis Hitzeman, and Brian Hackney each finished the night with two hits apiece, with McPherson and Hitzeman adding doubles on the night while Hackney added a pair of runs batted in. Shawn Lee doubled and scored early in the game but the Spirits were unable to take advantage of scenarios where they had runners on base.
Javier Rodriguez, Nick Bird, and Mathew Lawley each finished with 2 hits on the night, with Bird and Lawley adding pairs of runs batted in. Lawley also picked up the complete game win from the mound, allowing the 2 earned runs off 9 hits while walking 2 and striking out one.
The Knights jumped out to an early 2 to 0 lead in the first after Rodriguez singled to start the bottom half of the inning. Harlen McCaskey walked and Bird singled home Rodriguez to make it 1 to 0. Lawley made it for straight reaching safely with a single to load the bases, and McCaskey was able to score after Jesus Marquez hit a slow roller to third with the only play being at first.
The Spirits tied the game in the top half of the second when Hitzeman led off with a single and Lee followed with a double after Billy McDaniel flew out. Mike Sopocy flew out to the infield but Hackney followed with an RBI single to score both runners to tie the game before Shawn Hunt grounded Hackney out at second.
From this point on, it was all Knights. McDaniel replaced Spirits starting pitcher, Ryan Marsland in the bottom half of the fifth with the score 6 to 2 in favor of the Knights. The Knights then rallied for another 3 runs to make it 9 to 2 to give the game its final score. The Spirits subsequently went in order to end the game. Marsland picks up the loss, finishing with 4 innings pitched while allowing 3 earned off 8 hits, walking 4 and striking out 6. McDaniel tossed for one inning, allowing one earned run off 2 hits while walking two.
“Another rough match-up against the Knights,” Lee mentioned afterwards. “Not sure why we refuse to show up against this team but it’s always a battle. We must match-up well for them. I don’t get it though. It’s either a dog fight or we just hand it over. Nothing against their work. They did a great job of hitting tonight and didn’t make very many mistakes throughout the game. But we just seemed dead. Maybe we can blame the heat. Didn’t seem to affect our opponent but I need an excuse so I can sleep tonight. We shouldn’t be losing to them. I think we’re better. But we didn’t prove it this evening.”
The Spirits return to action next Monday night when play host to the Hurricanes. Game time is 7:00PM at Cowboy Field in Coppell, and fans can click here for schedule details or to listen live online using the iScore Central application.
Central Roofing and Restoration Players of the Game
Travis Hitzeman (2-3, 2B, R)
Shawn Lee (1-3, 2B, R)
Brian Hackney (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI)