(October 2, 2016 – Carrollton, TX) Pitcher Craig Molldrem went the distance Sunday afternoon, striking out 8 DFW Hurricanes hitters en route to a 3-hit shutout to keep the Spirits Fall baseball team at a perfect 6-0. In fact, opposing pitcher Bob Delahunt wasn’t so bad either, setting down 5 Spirits hitters in what started as a pitcher’s dual through 4 innings. The Spirits offense came alive however opening up for 3 runs, followed by 1 run, and 2 more in the final 3 innings of play creating the 8 to 0 final.
“Craig was sharp again today. We’re thankful to have a someone with such a great work regimen,” commented Shawn Lee following the contest. “And the Hurricanes are always a friendly rival to play. Hats off to them as well. Bob (Delahunt) seems to have the number of a few of us, and more importantly, they’re just a great bunch of guys. Honestly, if I didn’t run this team and have such a great group myself, I’d want to play with them. They do everything right, and it’s always a pleasure to play with and against them.”
The Spirits started off quickly in the top half of the first inning when outfielder Cliff Brade led off with a single, one of his 3 hits on the day. Brade stole second and advanced to third on a Hurricanes error which also allowed Jonathan Duran to reach base. Kyle Redinger singled, scoring Brade. Redinger was thrown out trying to take second, but Duran was able to score on a sacrifice fly by Michael Werner before Lee ended the inning with a fly out to center.
Things were quiet for a few innings and it appeared the pitcher’s dual was intact. The Hurricanes made a little noise with a couple of hits, however nothing seemed to build after putting runners on base. In the top half of the fourth, the Spirits opened up the offensive throttle a bit when outfielder Dennis Gonzalez reached on a single. David Tipton then singled with 2 outs and Matt Topps was able to reach on an error. Newcomer Keith Wallace reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring Gonzelez and Tipton scored on an additional error. Topps was able to score when Brade singled, putting the Spirits up 5 to 0.
Werner singled in the sixth and scored after Gonzalez picked up his second hit of the game, and Wallace went on to score after singling in the seventh after Duran singled and Redinger doubled. Werner singled again in the seventh to score Duran and that wrapped up the Spirits offense.
“Some of the guys are hitting really well,” continued Lee. “Hoping to join some of them soon, but in the meantime I’ll take what they give me. Duran was awesome defensively today as were a few of the others. We’re taking it one game at a time and it’s been a great Fall so far.”
The Fall club returns to action Wednesday night as they visit the Dallas Bulls at Reverchon Park in Uptown, Dallas. First pitch is slated for 6:30 PM.
Waxahachie Autoplex Players of the Game
#34 Craig Molldrem (7 IP, 3 H, 8 K)
#33 Mike Werner ( 2-3, SF, R, 2 RBI)
#1 Kyle Redinger (2-4, 2B, 2 RBI)