(October 1, 2023 – Plano, TX) The Spirits (40+) squad needed only two innings, technically one inning to put their match up against the Knights away as the team jumped out to a 6 to 1 lead in the first and capitalized the inning with another 7 runs the second inning to sail to a 13 to 2 win in NTABL Brazos Division Fall League baseball on Sunday.
Travis Hitzeman and Eric Goetz each finished a perfect 2-for-2 on the night with Hitzeman adding a double and an RBI sacrifice fly totalling 2 runs knocked in alongside 2 runs scored. Goetz also scored twice, added a run batted in, and walked once. Pitcher, Mike Sopocy picked up the win, tossing just three innings while allowing one earned on 2 hits, while walking just one and striking out 3. Earl German closed things off in the final two innings in yet another shortened game, allowing one unearned run off one hit, while walking none and striking out 2.
A leadoff walk to Javier Rodriquez to start the game cost the Spirits a run as he moved to second after Sean Smith reached on an error by the Spirits defense. Kevin Simmons reached on a fielder’s choice that squeezed Smith at second and allowed Rodriguez third, and he later scored when the Spirits tried to turn a pair on Brian Kellner, squeezing Simmons at second for the second out while Kellner arrived safe at first on the late throw. Shawn Hunt grounded out to end the inning but the Knights held an early 1 to 0 lead.
In the bottom frame, Eric McPherson drew a walk and then stole second before Shawn Lee drew a walk. Hitzeman’s double allowed McPherson to score and an error by the Knights defense that allowed Kent Fischer to reach safely allowed Lee to score to make it 2 to 1, Spirits. Fischer stole second to put the two runners aboard in scoring position and after Will Nash grounded out, Hitzeman was able to score while Fischer moved to third. Sopocy drew a walk and after Sopocy swiped second, Fischer took home on the throw. Goetz drew a base-on-balls to keep the bases busy and German followed with a single to load them up. A walk to Bobby Kornhauser gave the Spirits an easy run before David Tipton flew out to record the second out of the inning. Goetz later scored on a wild pitch before McPherson walked but Lee eventually grounded out to end the rally with the Spirits up 6 to 1.
Rodger Battani singled in the second but Sopocy and company were able to retire the side without any issue, and in the bottom half of the second, the Spirits tacked on another 7 to put the game out of reach. Both Hitzeman and Fischer singled and a third straight single by Nash scored Hitzeman to make it 7 to 1. Sopocy walked again and a single by Goetz scored Fischer. German’s sacrifice fly to the outfield scored Nash and Kornhauser was hit by a pitch to load the bags for Tipton. Tipton drew a walk to score Sopocy and the Knights turned to Stacy Scott to relieve starter Michael Kubick with the ghosts now leading, 10 to 1. McPherson patiently drew a walk to score Goetz, and an RBI sacrifice fly by Hitzeman allowed Tipton to cross the dish to make it 13 to 1 before Fischer grounded out.
The Knights eventually picked up a run in the fourth after Michael Miller reached on a Spirits fielding error and moved to second on a single by Rodriguez. Smith grounded out and both runners advanced on a passed ball. Simmons then grounded out but it was good enough to allow Miller to score before Kellner flew out to give the game its final score.
The Spirits move to a perfect 8-0 record with the win and are scheduled to take on the Rough Riders on October 8. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00PM on Graham Field at Prestonwood Christian Academy, and fans can click here for schedule details or to listen and watch the game live on line.
Central Roofing and Restoration Players of the Game
Travis Hitzeman (2-2, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI, SF)
Eric Goetz (2-2, 2 R, RBI, BB)
Mike Sopocy (0-1, 2 BB, 2 R; 3 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K)