(September 30, 2023 – Irving, TX) Most teams would be insanely happy to see 37 team at-bats in a full game. The Spirits (50+) squad did it in 4 innings on Saturday. The ghosts put up 16 runs in the first, 7 more in the second and eventually walked away with a 34 to 1 beat down of the Freebirds in DFW-ABA 50 Fall League action.
“I don’t think this was much fun for anyone,” team skipper, Shawn Lee commented afterwards. “Nobody wants to beat down on a team like this and no team wants to get beat like this. The Freebirds struggled with pitching. It made the game unfair. Between difficulties of getting the ball anywhere near the plate, alongside our team crushing anything that came close, it just proved to be an insane uphill battle for them.”
The Spirits used 21 hits alongside 15 free passes to first via walks, and 2 more hit by pitches. Chris Allen, Kirk Sipila, Lee, and Todd Murrah each finished with 3 hits. Sipila finished with 4 runs scored and 5 runs batted in after also adding a double along with James Hardt, and Stacy Scott. Earl German added another 2 hits, 2 runs scored, 4 runs batted in and tossed 2 innings of hitless baseball, walking 3 and striking out 3.
Alex Zuniga made his Spirits debut, throwing for 3 innings, allowing run unearned run off of one hit, while walking none and striking out 3. Will Nash walked 4 times, scored 4 times, and earned 2 runs batted in without a hit, and Tony Sanchez finished 1-for-1, walked 3 times, scored 3 times, and added an RBI. Steven Nutt also hit safely one time, added 2 runs scored, 4 runs batted in, and walked once.
“We made it fun getting after our own guys,” Lee continued. “I always challenge the guys to play against the game. Don’t play to the opponent, but play against the game. Each at-bat. Each ball in the field. Just work. Good habits hang around. But it was fun challenging our players, mostly at the plate today. I have to lift my cap for Stacy (Scott). The guy is on an absolute ripper right now. He hits everything. We’re hoping it continues for the remainder of the year. He’s simply in a next level zone we’ve not seen before. Honestly, his numbers are historical right now.”
The Spirits return to action next Saturday when they play host to the Diablos, who are looking to take down the Spirits to earn sole possession of first place. First pitch is slated for 11:45AM at McInnish Park, Field #11. Fans can click here for schedule details or to listen live online.
Central Roofing and Restoration Players of the Game
Kirk Sipila (3-4, 2B, 4 R, 5 RBI, BB)
Stacy Scott (2-2, 2B, 4 R, 2 RBI, BB, HBP)
Earl German (2-3, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB, SB; 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 3 BB, 3 K)