(June 22, 2024 – Carrollton, TX) The Spirits (50+) offense had something to prove this past Saturday a week after it was printed on the side of a milk carton as “Missing.” Every Spirits hitter hit safely, with numerous players recording extra base hits as the Spirits routed the Cubs by a score of 20 to 3 in another mercy-rule victory.
John Holmquist picked up the victory, allowing just 2 earned on 4 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 1. Holmquist also joined the lineup later in the game and recorded a base hit and scored once to aid in his final stat line. Kirk Sipila and Kent Fischer led the offense, each finishing with 3 hits on the day. Both hitters added doubles amongst their 3 respective hits, with Sipila adding a pair of runs scored and runs knocked in, while Fischer added 3 runs scored and 3 runs batted in. Shawn Hunt added a triple with his pair of hits, scoring 3 times, knocking in 3 runs, and walked once. Dee Mauldin finished 2-for-3, walking once and scoring twice, and added 4 runs batted in to cap off the team’s top performers.
A 6-run top half of the first inning set the pace for the game, quickly stealing the spirit from the Cubs defenders and starting pitcher, Rick Neyman, who frustratingly watched as his team also committed 5 errors during the Spirits offensive onslaught. Chris Allen reached on an error to start the game and Shawn Lee drew a walk. An RBI single by Sipila scored Allen and a walk to Hunt loaded the bags. Fischer’s single scored both Lee and Sipila to make it 3 to 0, Spirits before Stacy Scott flew out to record the first out. An RBI single by Mauldin scored Hunt and after Mauldin swiped second base, Fischer was able to score on an errant throw by the Cubs catcher, Tony Chavez, Jr. Mike Sopocy lost on a battle of strikes and an RBI single by James Hardt scored Mauldin to make it 6 to 0, Spirits. Vince Parello singled to keep the inning alive but Allen returned for his second at-bat of the inning and lined out to left to stop the bleeding.
Despite a leadoff single by Chavez, Jr., Holmquist was able to get Keith Riley, Ben Northcutt and Mike Skaggs in order to hold the Cubs to a scoreless first. The offense picked up right where it had left off in the second, adding another 5 runs to make it 11 to 0. Lee led off with a single and scored from first on an RBI double by Sipila. Hunt’s triple easily scored Sipila and a follow up double by Fischer made it 9 to 0 when Hunt crossed the dish. Scott reached on an error to move Fischer to third and after Scott stole second base, Fischer scored on another errant throw that the Cubs middle infield was unable to track down. Mauldin lost a battle of strikes and an RBI single by Sopocy scored Scott to give the ghosts another run. Hardt grounded out and after Sopocy swiped third, Parello was called out looking to close out the top of the second.
The Cubs offense rallied for 3 runs in the bottom frame after Roger Venables singled and Heath Bar followed by reaching on a fielder’s choice that resulted in both runners staying on the bases safely. Lee Gregory grounded out and moved Venables to third and a sacrifice fly by Anthony Hamilton scored Venables to break the ice for the Cubs. Worth Chollar drew a base-on-balls and Chavez, Jr. picked up his second hit of the game, good to score Bar. Riley reached on a Spirits fielding error that allowed Chollar to score before Holmquist was able to get Northcutt swinging to end the second.
After 6- and 5-run innings, the Spirits offense put up a 4-run inning after Allen led off with a single and was squeezed at second when Lee reached on a fielder’s choice. Lee swiped second base and then scored on an RBI single by Hunt, and Fischer’s third hit on the day put two on with one out. Scott singled to load the bases and a double by Mauldin cleared them as Hunt, Fischer, and Scott scored before Sopocy struck out to close the top half of the third.
Skaggs singled to start the bottom frame but the Spirits defense turned a double-play to retire him and Venables on the next pitch, and Holmquist followed by getting Bar to fly out. With limited signs of life left on the Cubs side of the field, the Spirits offense added 3 more runs to go up 18 to 3 after Hardt led off with a double after the Cubs had turned to Michael Paul to pitch. Parello grounded out to hold Hardt at second but a single by Holmquist moved him to third before Allen’s RBI single. Holmquist then scored on an RBI single by Lee and a single by Sipila loaded the bases for Hunt. Hunt reached on a fielder’s choice that put out Sipila at second, but Allen was able to score on the play before Fischer flew out to the infield to end the Spirits’ fourth.
The Spirits turned to Scott to close out the game and he was able to retire 3 of the first 4 hitters he faced outside of Chollar’s single. The Spirits then added 2 more runs to ironically finish out the game scoring sequentially in descending order each inning, adding 6, 5, 4, 3, and then 2 runs to close out the contest. The Cubs looked to Northcutt to hold off any additional scoring but the ghosts remained hot at the dish adding another pair of runs. Scott flew out to lead off the inning but a walk to Mauldin and a single to Sopocy gave the Spirits two on with one out. Hardt was called out looking but a double by Parello scored both Mauldin and Sopocy to make it 20 to 3 before Northcutt struck out Holmquist looking to end the frame.
Scott was able to set down the Cubs in order including a strikeout to Riley to end the game early due to the league’s mercy rules.
“Outstanding effort today by everyone,” Lee mentioned afterwards. “The Cubs had a rough day at the office. We’ve all been there. I’m sure they’ll be much better next week when we face them again. So many guys played well today that it’s hard to single anyone’s work out individually. (Dee) Mauldin was great in his final game before going under the knife to fix his shoulder next week, so we most certainly wish him the best of luck and a speedy recovery. Another great day at the dish by (Kirk) Sipila, (Shawn) Hunt, and (Kent) Fischer, so big thanks to those fellas. I believe the accounted for 16 of our 20 runs. Not too shabby. And a great job by Johnny (Holmquist) pitching to day. Gotta love days like this.”
The team returns to action when they once again face the Cubs next Saturday at McInnish Park, Field #11. First pitch is scheduled for 9:00AM and fans can click here for schedule details or to listen to the game live online.
Central Roofing and Restoration Players of the Game
Kirk Sipila (3-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI)
Dee Mauldin (2-4, 2B, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB, SB)
Shawn Hunt (2-3, 3B, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB)
Kent Fischer (3-4, 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI)