(March 23, 2024 – Carrollton, TX) A fast start and a 5-run first inning, later followed by a 5-run fourth inning was all the Spirits (50+) squad needed to earn a mercy-ruled 11 to 1 victory over Metroflex in DFW-ABA 50 League action on Saturday.
Plagued by rain nearly each Saturday, the Spirits were finally able to play following a 3-week hiatus from the diamond due to wet fields. Mike Sopocy and Kevin Simmons each delivered on offense, each adding a pair of hits on the day. Sopocy scored once and Simmons scored twice to contribute to the run total. Every Spirits hitter, less 3, hit safely in the game. Not bad considering the squad sent 14 hitters to the dish in an extended line-up.
“Boys were eager to play today,” Shawn Lee commented after the game. “After waiting that long, you feel like a kid again when you finally get to play. Great effort today and nice work on the hill from (Mike) Sopocy.”
Sopocy went the short distance, picking up the shortened complete-game win after tossing 5 innings, allowing 0 earned runs on just 4 hits, and walking one while striking out a pair. Despite a pair of runners for Metroflex in the first, Sopocy and his defense were able to leave the top half of the inning unscathed before dropping a 5-spot in the bottom frame. Chris Allen singled and moved to second after Vince Parello followed with a single. Kirk Sipila was hit by a pitch to load the bags. Shawn Lee knocked home Allen with an RBI single and an error by Metroflex third baseman, Chris Duty allowed Parello and Sipila to score and for Lee to complete the Little League style homerun by making his way all the way around the bags to score as well. Will Nash flew out to record the first out and Sopocy followed with another single. Kent Fischer was able tor each on an error before Todd Murrah lost a battle of strikes. An RBI single by Brian Hackney made it 5 to 0 when Sopocy crossed the dish before James Hardt flew out to end the inning.
Sopocy kept Metroflex in check despite a lone single by Duty in the second, and the ghosts added run number 6 in the bottom frame after Simmons, Shawn Hunt, and Earl German went back-to-back-to-back with singles. Stacy Scott popped out to the infield and Simmons later scored when Allen reached base on a fielder’s choice that squeezed German at second. Parello flew out to end the inning and Metroflex dodged another big inning by the Spirits.
After Randy Flex reached on an error to start the third, he later scored after moving to second on a passed ball and to third following a ground out by Bret Baker. Joseph Polsky followed with an RBI single to give Metroflex their only run before Sopocy set the next two batters in order.
Fast forward to the fourth and the Spirits offense went on another merry-go-round journey through the bases. Sopocy singled to start the inning and after getting picked af first a few pitches later, Fischer replaced him after drawing a walk. Murrah singled and Hackney walked the bases loaded. Hardt followed with a single to score both Fischer and Murrah, and after Hackney was caught stealing, Simmons kept the inning a live with a single. Hunt then reached on an error that allowed Hardt to score. German walked and Scott followed with an RBI single to score both Simmons and Hunt before German was later picked at third base with Allen at the plate to end the inning.
Sopocy was able to close out the top half of the fifth to earn the mercy-ruled victory. The Spirits return to action next Saturday when they visit the Diablos at 11:45AM on Field #11 at McInnish. Fans can click here for schedule details.
Central Roofing and Restoration Players of the Game
Mike Sopocy (2-2, R; 5 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, BB, 2 K)
Kevin Simmons (2-2, 2 R)
James Hardt (1-2, R, 2 RBI)