(March 8, 2023 – Euless, TX) The defense was about as good as the lights that shine down on Arlington Field at Texas Star Complex in Euless. The Spirits (40+) defense was dimly lit and not poised for quality baseball, but somehow the team was able to hold on and sneak away with a win over Los Viejos on Wednesday night.
Despite putting up 16 runs on 20 hits, while leaving 9 runners left on base, the Spirits managed to give up 14 runs, only 5 of which were earned as the Spirits outlasted Los Viejos by a final of 16 to 14.
Eric McPherson absolutely lit it up from the dish, finishing a perfect 5-for-5 on the night, including a double, 3 runs scored, and 3 runs batted in. Travis Hitzeman added 3 hits, including 2 runs scored and 2 more batted in. Stacy Scott also added a 3 hit performance, finishing with a pair if runs scored, and an RBI.
Starting pitcher, Jonathan Duran held on as best he could after aggravating his hamstring while pitching. Duran completed 4 innings of work, giving up 7 runs, just 3 earned, while walking none, and striking out a pair of hitters. Earl German struggled a bit in his relief, tossing an inning and a third while giving up 6 runs, 2 earned, while walking 2, and striking out 1. Scott was able to closed the door on Los Viejos, taking down the last two hitters out of 3 he faced, allowing a single and striking out another.
“It was ugly but the season is still young,” commented Shawn Lee afterwards. “I was nervous we were going to hand it over to them, but we were able to hang on and sometimes the W is just enough. We didn’t have much of a pre-season so we’re ironing out the kinks now, and hopefully in a week or two we’ll be back on cruise control playing some solid baseball.”
The team returns to action next Wednesday when they take on the Rattlers on Legends Field. Click here for schedule details.
Next Level Sports Apparel Players of the Game
Eric McPherson (5-5, 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI)
Travis Hitzeman (3-5, 2 R, 2 RBI)
Stacy Scott (3-4, 2 R, RBI; 2/3 IP, H, K)