(September 29, 2025 – Coppell, TX) The Hurricanes were looking to roll into Coppell and create another storm for the Spirits (45+) fall squad this past Monday night but it was the ghosts who were using the upcoming month of October to scare away the Canes with an 18 to 4 beat down, keeping the team undefeated for the NTABL Fall Ball season.
The Spirits used 16 hits and 4 walk to put the Hurricanes on blast, starting with 2 runs in the first, 5 in the second, another 2 in the third and capped it off with a 9-run fifth that set the Hurricanes defense looking for the exit sign on Cowboy field.
Mike Sopocy was absolutely filthy, tossing 4 innings and allowing just one earned run off of 2 hits, while walking zero, and striking out 4. Earl German closed out the final inning before the mercy rule kicked in, allowing no earned runs and a hit while walking 3 and striking out 2.
Offensively, Eric McPherson, Dee Mauldin, and Cliff Brade each finished the night 3-for-4, with Mauldin adding a triple, 3 runs scored, 3 runs batted in, and a stolen bag. McPherson also added 3 runs scored and 3 runs knocked in, while also walking once alongside swiping a pair of bags on the night. Brade scored twice and knocked in a run while picking up a stolen bag. Stacy Scott added a triple, and German also added a pair of hits on the night, with 3 runs scored, a run batted in, and a pair of walks.
The box score was all Spirits. McPherson singled to lead off the game and stoke second before scoring on an RBI single by Mauldin. Mauldin stole second before Travis Hitzeman flew out and Dale Baird grounded out. Shawn Hunt reached on an error that allowed Mauldin to score before Brade grounded out.
Up 2 to 0, the Spirits added 5 more in the second after Chris Lewis reached on a dropped third strike with one out. Lewis took second on a passed ball and then scored on an RBI single by German. Scott’s triple to the right field wall scored German and he later scored on an RBI single by McPherson. Mauldin then tripled home McPherson and later scored on an RBI single by Hitzeman before Baird and Hunt lost battles of strikes.
The Hurricanes rallied for a run in the bottom frame after Jim Crombie led off with a single and then later scored after swiping second and then heading home on an RBI single by Craig Holmes.
The Spirits picked up another pair of runs in the third after Brade singled and stole second base. He moved to third on a passed ball before Sopocy drew a walk and later scored when Lewis grounded out. German walked and stole second base before moving to third on a fielder’s choice when Sopocy was caught trying to head home. McPherson drew a walk and German later scored on a wild pitch before Mauldin grounded out.
The floodgates of offense opened up for the ghosts in the fourth frame after the squad capitalized on a 9 to 1 lead to make it 18 to 1. The Hurricanes turned to Eric Reifschneider to relieve Crombie at pitcher and Reifschneider was able to get Hitzeman to fly out. Baird reached on an error and then stole second base. He moved to third on a passed ball and then scored when Ken Earp tried to pick him off at third and the throw went to left field. Hunt was hit by a pitch before Brade singled and moved him to third. Brade took second on the throw to third and with both runners in scoring position, Hunt was able to score when Sopocy grounded out at first.
Lewis then reached on an error that allowed Brade to score and German followed with a single before Scott reached on an error to load the bases. McPherson made it hurt with a 2-RBI single to score Lewis and German, and Mauldin followed with an RBI single to score Scott. Shawn Lee singled to load the bases after replacing Hitzeman in the lineup, and Baird’s RBI single made it 16 to 1, Spirits. Hunt followed with a single to score Mauldin, and Brade singled home Lee to make it 18 to 1 before Sopocy grounded out to end the bleeding.
The Hurricanes rallied for 3 runs in the bottom half of the fifth before the game was called. The Spirits will return to action next Monday night when they visit the Knights are Reverchon Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00PM and fans can click here for schedule details.
Ranger Fire, Inc. Players of the Game
Mike Sopocy (4 IP, 2 H, ER, 0 BB, 4 K)
Eric McPherson (3-4, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB, SB)
Dee Mauldin (3-4, 3B, 3 R, 3 RBI, SB)
Cliff Brade (3-4, 2 R, RBI, SB)