(June 14, 2023 – Euless, TX) When there’s not much to write about, you just cover the facts. The Spirits (40+) squad once again seemed lost and unready to play as the Redbirds raced out to a 6 run first inning lead in a game that was over before it essentially had started.
In swarming humidity and heat, the Spirits looked slowed and fatigued while their counterpart cheered and had fun in their dugout, crushing the Spirits for 15 hits in a lopsided 13 to 0 win that ended soon enough due to the league’s 10-run mercy-rule.
Kevin Fought, Marc Boggio, Dustin Harrison, Mark Tierney, Brent Smerczynski, and Juan Mollinedo all finished with 2 hits in just 5 innings, with Harrison, Chris Cec, and Scott Clawson each adding a pair of runs batted in. For the Spirits, Kirk Sipila broke up the no-hit bid from Boggio, the Redbirds starter, with a single in the fourth inning. Moments later, Cliff Brade ended Sipila’s short stint on base after grounding into a double-play, but Eric McPherson and Ryan Marsland each singled before Shawn Lee grounded out to end the inning and any signs of life in scoring.
The Spirits finished with 3 errors but missed on several plays that could have weakened the blow, but the writing appeared to be on the wall from the get go. The team can bury this loss away in a deep, dark place and look for the light in their next matchup next Wednesday night when they visit the Fort Worth Drillers. First pitch is at 8:45PM on Legends Field at Texas Star. Fans can click here for schedule details.
Next Level Sports Apparel Players of the Game
Chris Cec (Redbirds): (1-1, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB)
Dustin Harrison (Redbirds): (2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI)
Marc Boggio (Redbirds): (2-3, 3B, 2 R; 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K)