(July 8, 2024 – Coppell, TX) With signs of rain in the forecast and lower temperatures prevailing in the Coppell, Texas area, the Hurricanes were looking to blow some winds of change in the friendly rivalry against the Spirits (45+) squad on Monday night. With hurricane Beryl making its way through the area and high speed winds in the form of starting pitcher, Jim Crombie, the Hurricanes appeared ready to damage of their own.
Crombie and the ‘Canes defense held the Spirits to just one run through 4 innings of play before the Spirits offense was able to break through for a 4-run fifth inning to cruise to a 6 to 0 win behind brilliant pitching by Spirits starting pitcher, Stacy Scott. Scott toss all 7 innings, allowing just 2 hits on the night while walking 2 and striking out 3 to help put the ghosts back into the win column. Scott had some great help with Shawn Hunt behind the plate and a defense that was full of some great plays on the field to help manufacture the shutout.
Eric McPherson led the team offensively, finishing a perfect 3-for-3, adding 2 runs scored, an RBI, and a pair of stolen bases. Travis Hitzeman added a pair of hits including a double while also knocking in a pair of runs as well. In the bottom of the first inning, McPherson led things off with a single and then stole second base. He later moved to third after Ryan Marsland grounded out. Hitzeman then reached on a fielder’s choice after Hurricanes third baseman, Ben Northcutt tried to tag out McPherson who was leading off of third. McPherson was able to get back to the bag safely and then later scored after Crombie tried to pick off Hitzeman at first and the throw made its way to foul territory along the first base side.
The game remained in check until the bottom half of the fifth inning where the Spirits finally opened things up offensively. Mike Sopocy reached on an error and was replaced by Shawn Lee as a courtesy runner at first. Lee swiped second base and then stole third three pitches later before Hunt was able to reach on an error by Crombie. Hunt laster stole second base before Scott grounded out to Crombie to hold the runners. Lee was then able to score for Sopocy when David Tipton grounded out. Tipton replaced Hunt as a runner at second base and then stole third before scoring on an RBI single by McPherson. McPherson then stole second base and after Marsland was hit by a pitch, the Hurricanes turned to veteran pitcher, Eric Reifschneider to try to slow down the Spirits offense. Hitzeman welcomed Reifschneider to the game with an RBI double to the right centerfield gap that allowed both McPherson and Marsland to score before Kent Fischer flew out to end the inning.
From there, Scott set the Hurricanes in order to close out the seventh inning behind some nice defensive plays by Hunt and Lee to secure the victory.
“Great win tonight behind some great play,” Lee mentioned. “Stacy (Scott) was absolutely on point tonight and (Shawn) Hunt had another great game behind the dish stopping a few pitches in the dirt, throwing out a runner, and then making a nice catch on a pop foul. Our infield played well tonight adding a few nice plays and a double-play to help fill in for a quieter offensive evening for us. Great job overall by everyone.”
The Spirits return to action next Monday night when they once again face off against the Knights. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30PM at Cowboy Field and fans can click here for schedule details or to listen to the game live online.
Central Roofing and Restoration Players of the Game
Eric McPherson (3-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 SB)
Stacy Scott (7 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K)
Travis Hitzeman (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI)