(March 22, 2023 – Euless, TX) After trailing in an early 1 to 0 deficit against the Brewers in DFW-ABA 40 League action Wednesday night, the Spirits (40+) squad rallied for 8 runs in the second inning and went on to roll past the Brewers by a score of 10 to 1.
Starting pitcher, Jonathan Duran was on point and picked up the shortened complete-game victory. Duran allowed just one earned run off 6 hits, walked 2, and also struck out 2. Duran added a walk, pair of runs scored, and an RBI to aid his own cause as the Spirits improved to an even, 2-2 record on the season.
Ryan Marsland led the Spirits offense with a double, run scored, and 3 runs batted in. Will Nash added a triple, wore two pitches, and also knocked in a run alongside scoring twice. Both David Tipton and Eric McPherson each added a single, run scored, and an RBI to help carry the Spirits offense.
A leadoff walk to Dale Baird proved costly to Duran and company to start the game as he stole second after Ken Earp lined out, and then later scored on an RBI single by Rusty Thompson. Fortunately for Duran and company, that proved to be the only mistake the Spirits made on the night.
Fast forward to the bottom of the second, and the Spirits quickly tie the game and go on to take a commanding, 8 to 0 lead after Earl German and Stacy Scott led off the bottom frame by drawing walks. Tipton singled home German to tie the game, and the Brewers turned to Joe Brotherton to replace starter Bruce Raspberry after it appeared Raspberry hurt himself. Duran was able to reach on an error that scored Scott, and after the runners advanced after a passed ball, McPherson singled home Tipton to make it 3 to 1, Spirits. McPherson went on to steal second and Chris Lewis drew a walk to load the bases for Marsland. Marsland followed with a 3-run double to clear the bags and the Spirits were cruising, now up 6 to 1. An RBI triple by Nash scored Marsland and a ground out by Shawn Hunt scored Nash to complete the snowman, and an 8 to 1 Spirits lead.
The Spirits added their ninth run in the third inning after Duran reached on a one-out walk and later moved to second after McPherson reached on a fielder’s choice that didn’t put out Duran. Lewis replaced McPherson at first on a fielder’s choice that squeezed McPherson and second and allowed Duran third. One Brewers fielding error later, Duran scored and gave the Spirits a 9 to 0 lead.
The team capped off their tenth run in the fourth after Nash reached after getting hit by pitch. Hunt singled to move him to third and Nash later scored on another Brewers fielding error to give the game its final count.
The team returns back to action next Wednesday night when they host the Killer Bees on Arlington Field at Texas Star. First pitch is at 6:30PM and you can click here for schedule details.