May
10

Spirits (45+) Squeak Past Knights in Pitcher’s Duel

(May 9, 2022 – Farmers Branch, TX) Lack of offense was aplenty for both the Spirits (45+) squad and the Knights on Monday night. The teams lulled each other to sleep for most of the game, and it was the Spirits that eventually came out triumphant with a 3 to 1 victory in a game that turned out to be a pitcher’s duel.

Spirits starting pitcher, Mike Sopocy delivered a complete-game gem, going the full 7 innings while allowing just one earned run off of 6 hits, while walking one, and striking out 7 Knights hitters. For the Spirits offense, it was once again Eric McPherson leading the way. McPherson finished 2-for-3 on the night, adding a stolen base and a run scored to help make a difference. Will Nash, Sopocy, and David Tipton were the only other Spirits to hit safely. Tipton finished with a walk, single, and RBI, and John Holmquist added a walk and a run scored.

The Knights picked up an early 1 to 0 lead in the first inning after Rodger Battani led things off with a single and stole second. He later scored on an RBI single by Jesus Marquez. In the bottom half, McPherson singled, stole second, and then later scored on an RBI single by Nash to make it 1 to 1.

The Spirits broke the tie in the second after Sopocy singled and moved to second on a fielder’s choice. He later scored on an RBI single by Tipton. After that, it was the sound of pitches hitting the mit for pretty much the remainder of the game. The Spirits rallied for an insurance run in the top half of the seventh after Holmquist reached on an error and then moved to second after McPherson picked up his second hit on the night. Kirk Sipila walked to load the bags and Travis Hitzeman knocked in Holquist with a sacrifice fly before Nash and Shawn Lee flew out to end the inning. Sopocy set the Knights in order in the bottom half and that was all she wrote.

“Great game from Mike (Sopocy) tonight,” Lee commented afterwards. We didn’t have a lot of offense to display tonight, but that’s nothing against the work of Tim Trout. He pitched a great game for the Knights tonight. I’m sure they would have liked to get him a W. One of these games we’re going to put a complete game together on both sides of the dish. But a win is a win.”

The ghosts return to action next Monday night and they’ll face their first real test as they take on the second place, Dallas Cardinals for a first place battle. Game time is 8:45PM at Oran Good field and you can click here for additional schedule details.

Game Box Score

CORE Physical Medicine Players of the Game

Mike Sopocy (1-2, R; 7 IP, ER, 6 H, BB, 7 K)

Eric McPherson (2-3, R, SB)

David Tipton (1-1, BB, RBI)