(August 12, 2018) Perhaps it was one game in 22 days. Perhaps it was a bit of the same old lack of offense plaguing the Spirits (18+) offense. Or perhaps it was the fact that there was some serious pitching taking place at John Paul II High School on Sunday night that left both teams with just 5 hits in 9 innings of play, with 2 runs crossing the plate and a total of 27 hitters in the game walking back to the dugout as strikeout victims.
Regardless of the factors in play, what we do know is that the Dallas Panthers hold a 1-0 lead in the best of 3 playoff series in NTABL Open National League play as the Spirits fell to the Panthers by a score of 2 to 0 Sunday night. DJ Carassco pitched 5 and 2/3 innings, allowing 2 earned on 4 hits while walking just one and striking out 11 hitters for the Spirits. Blake Martin and Aaron Corwin shined for the Panthers as the pitching duo gave up just 5 hits, walked one and struck out 15 Spirits hitters on their way to sealing the postseason victory.
Kevin Hart walked to start the Panthers second inning and later advanced to second after Jeff Nutt grounded out. Hart was pushed to third after Eric Wald singled and after Wald advanced on a wild pitch, both runners were able to score when Corwin doubled to produce the game’s only runs.
Cody Bishop led the way for the Spirits with 2 hits on the night, while Kyle Redinger made the box score by hitting a double. Cliff Brade and Carassco were the only other Spirits hitters to hit safely. Corwin led the Panthers offense as well, completing a 2-for-3 performance with a double and the game’s only RBIs.
The teams bounce back to play in an elimination game this Wednesday night as the Spirits must win to continue postseason play. Click here for schedule details, to obtain directions to the game, or to download the iScore Central app to watch and listen to the game live, online!