(March 1, 2025 – Carrollton, TX) The Spirits (50+) squad opened its 2025 campaign for DFW-ABA 50 League baseball on Saturday and utilized a 5-run fifth inning to break from a 6 to 6 tie with Metroflex, going on to win the game by a score of 14 to 7.
The Spirits offense was in midseason form, finishing the game with 18 hits and a game that could have shown a much different final considering the team stranded 12 runners in just 6 innings of play. Newcomer, Brian Kellner helped lead the Spirits offense after finishing with 3 hits while Earl German led all hitters with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, adding a run scored and a run batted in. Dee Mauldin, Kent Fischer, and Eric Reifschneider each finished with a pair of hits. Mauldin, Fischer, Shawn Lee, and Mike Sopocy each knocked in a pair of runs on the day while Stacy Scott added a double and 3 runs batted in to cap off the box score highlights.
Sopocy picked up the opening day win through 6 innings of work on the mound, scattering 10 hits on the day that allowed for 4 earned to cross the plate, while walking 7 and striking out 9 hitters.
With the game tied 6 to 6 in the bottom half of the fifth inning, Fischer singled with one out and moved to second on a passed ball. Lee went down on swings but the Spirits kept the offense alive with two down after Sopocy walked and Vince Parello singled to load the bags. An RBI single by German scored Fischer and a follow up double by Sopocy emptied the bags before Reifschneider’s RBI single scored Scott to give the Spirits an 11 to 6 advantage.
Metroflex added a run in the sixth to cut the lead to 11 to 7 but the Spirits added 3 more runs in the bottom half of the inning before the league’s two and a half hour time limit came into play. Chris Allen led off the sixth reaching after wearing a pitch from John Parker, and a walk to Eric McPherson and RBI single by Mauldin made it 12 to 7. Kellner added another single to load the bases and an RBI single by Fischer scored McPherson and Mauldin before time was called to end the contest.
“Great way to start the season,” Lee commented after the game. “Mike (Sopocy) looked great to start off the season. A little trouble with the zone but he never gets any help from the eyes behind the catcher. Defense was great for an opening day game and both teams just seemed eager to hit. Fortunately our offense jumped into overdrive before it ended, so we were able to walk away with the win.”
The Spirits return to action next Saturday when they play host to the Laguneros starting at 11:45 at McInnish Park, Field #10. Fans can click here for schedule details.
Five Star Ford Players of the Game
Earl German (3-3, R, RBI)
Kent Fischer (2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI)
Dee Mauldin (2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI)