(May 12, 2025 – Flower Mound, TX) Despite a fast start offensively, the Spirits (45+) squad needed some defense and some key pitching from closer, Kevin Simmons to stave off a rally attempt by the Reds on Monday night, to eventually pick up a 7 to 5 win. Spirits starter, Jonathan Duran was getting it done but with rising temperatures in Dallas and no wind to cool players down, it was evident that Duran’s tank began to run low.
Despite picking up the victory after 4 and a third innings of work, Duran saw some untimely errors by his defense put him into a position of concern down the stretch. With a 6 to 1 lead behind him, a fielding error that should have resulted in a double-play allowed for a run to score and for the Reds to see opportunity to grab momentum as the team picked up 3 runs in the fourth inning to cut the Spirits lead to, 6 to 4. Spirits manager, Shawn Lee turned to Simmons to give the Reds a different look and the move appeared to eventually pan out as the team went on to secure a 7 to 5 win.
Duran finished 4 and a third innings of work, allowing 3 earned of 7 hits while walking one, and striking out 3. Simmons closed out the game to pick up the save, adding 2 and two thirds innings allowing no earned runs while walking none and striking out 4.
Travis Hitzeman led the Spirits offense after finishing 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles, one run scored, and 5 runs batted in. Dale Baird scored 3 times, finishing 1-for-1 with a pair of walks, and Lee added a single, walk and a run batted in as well. Eric McPherson scored twice and added a hit, while Simmons, Earl German, Duran, and Stacy Scott each also added singles with Scott also adding a run batted in. Hitzeman and McPherson were each hit by a pitch, and a number of Spirits added stolen bags which help account for some runs. McPherson, Lee, and Hitzeman each added one stolen bag while Baird added 3 stolen bags before the night was complete.
The Reds drew an early 1 to 0 lead in the first after Steven Nutt singled with two outs. Sean Clark was hit by a pitch and Nutt later scored after Ron Pirkle reached on a Spirits fielding error before Duran was able to get Mike Rosener to ground out to retire the side. The Spirits offense then retaliated with 3 runs in the bottom frame after McPherson was hit by pitch and went on to swipe second base. Baird drew a walk and Hitzeman’s first double on the night scored both runners to make it 2 to 1, Spirits. Hitzeman then swiped third before Lee drew a walk and Lee went on to take second base before Simmons was walked to load the bags. The Reds then turned to Nutt to relieve Clark, who started the game, and after getting Mike Sopocy to fly out, a walk to Dee Mauldin gave the Spirits a 3 to 0 lead when Hitzeman crossed the dish. Nutt was then able to strike out Shawn Hunt and then was able to get German to fly out to strand 3 runners for the Spirits.
Duran added a pair of strikeouts in the top half of the second despite a single by Marc Bouvier and the Spirits then tacked on 3 more runs in the bottom frame after Scott singled and moved to second when Duran grounded out. McPherson singled and Baird walked again and with bases loaded, Hitzeman’s second double on the night scored all 3 runners. Lee then flew out and German, who was running for Hitzeman, was then cut down at second base thinking there were already 2 out in the inning. The Spirits left with a 6 to 1 advantage after the double-play.
Holding onto the 6 to 1 lead through the top half of the fourth, the Reds saw signs of life after Clark and Pirkle both singled to lead off the inning. Rosener reached on a fielder’s choice that squeezed Clark at third but Anthony Vega kept the rally a live with a single to load the bases. Cristofer Pritchett flew out to left to record the second out but a double to deep left field by Bouvier allowed all three runners to score to cut the lead to 6 to 4 before Duran was able to get Justin Johnson to fly out.
Nutt held the Spirits to no runs in the bottom frame and the Reds were able to close the gap in the fifth. Duran struck out Jaime Esquivel but then walked TK Hayes. James Roberts then reached on an error and Lee made his move to Simmons to give the Reds a different look from the mound. Simmons was able to then get Nutt to fly out but a single by Clark scored Hayes and the lead was now 6 to 5. A single by Pirkle loaded the bases but a huge strikeout by Simmons getting Pirkle looking ended the Reds rally as quickly as it started.
Baird led off the bottom of the fifth with a single and stole second before Hitzeman was hit by a pitch. An RBI single by Lee scored Baird to give the Spirits an insurance run before Nutt was able to then retire the next three hitters.
Simmons then struck out Vega to start the sixth and after Pritchett reached on an error, the Spirits were able to turn a pair after he took off for second and Bouvier popped out to Hunt behind the plate. Hunt then relayed to first to pick off Pritchett for two to end the top half of the sixth. The Spirits then went in order and set the stage for Simmons to shine in the top half of the seventh. simmons struck out Johnson to start the inning and was then able to get Esquivel to ground out before striking out Hayes to close out the game and to earn the save.
“Solid effort tonight,” Lee mentioned afterwards.” Each time we play them (Reds), they put up a great battle. We have to be ready to play. Our offense wasn’t glowing by any means but we did enough to get it done. Defensively, we just have to play better. I don’t know why our opponents don’t struggle as much as we do defensively. We’re not bad but man, we have awful timing when it comes to blunders. Simmons did a heck of a job coming in and shutting them down. We needed that. Jon (Duran) did his part and we needed someone to come in and finish the job and Simmons did just that. And what can we say about Travis (Hitzeman)? We’re fortunate that he was showing up with bases loaded, so they had to pitch to him. When that’s the case, he often wins that battle. Fun win tonight. We’ll have to remain focused each time the Reds are on the opposite side of the diamond.
Bouvier led the Reds box score with a pair of hits including a double and 3 runs batted in. Clark and Pirkle each finished with a pair of hits and a run batted in with Pirkle aloso scoring a run as well.
The Spirits return to the diamond next Monday night when they play host to the Hurricanes at Flower Mound High School. First pitch is scheduled for 6:15PM and fans can click here for schedule details or to listen to the game live online.
Five Star Ford Players of the Game
Travis Hitzeman (2-2, 2 2B, R, 5 RBI, SB)
Dale Baird (1-1, 3 R, 2 BB, 3 SB)
Kevin Simmons (1-2, BB; 2.2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 4 K, SV)