(April 27, 2026 – Carrollton, TX) The Spirits (45+) squad was in the mood for drama once again this past Monday night following a dramatic comeback by the Red Sox that eventually turned into a walk-off win for the ghosts.
The Spirits watched a 4 to 1 lead turn to 4 to 4 in the game’s final inning but found the right set of heroics in the final frame to turn the L into a W. Kirk Sipila, Cliff Brade, Kevin Simmons, and Vinny Diciero each carried the offense with 2 hits each, with Brade finishing with a double and 2 runs batted in. Simmons also knocked in two while Sipila added a triple, a walk, and 2 runs scored. The only other hitter to reach with a hit was Eric McPherson, who added a single and a run scored.
The Red Sox took an early 1 to 0 lead but the Spirits tied in the bottom of the first after Sipila tripled with one out and scored on an RBI single from Brade. The Spirits added 2 more runs in the bottom of the third inning after Diciero singled with one out and moved to second when McPherson singled. Sipila drew a walk to load the bags and after Brade went down swinging, Simmons followed with a single to score both Diciero and McPherson. Sipila was stranded when Will Nash grounded out to the infield.
In the bottom of the fourth, Dee Mauldin reached on an error and was good enough to make his way around the bases to score and give the Spirits a 4 to 1 lead.
Things remained in check until the top half of the sixth when Diciero, who took over for Jonathan Duran as pitcher in the fifth inning, had some control issues that gave the Red Sox hope. Jordan Bass walked and Jared Blanton singled. Juan Vasquez singled but Bass was cut down trying to score. Mercedes Mendoza was put out on a dropped third strike throw to first that allowed Blanton to move to second. It appeared the Spirits were poised for victory but Diciero beaned Greg Anderson and Matthew Broadnax followed with a two-out single to score Blanton and to keep the bags loaded. Vasquez then scored on a wild pitch and Diciero then hit Detrek Terrell with a pitch before Anderson scored on another wild pitch. With the game now tied, 4 to 4, Diciero was replaced by Earl German who was able to then get Scott Sweet to ground out to set the table for the walk-off scenario.
Sipila led off the bottom of the sixth with a single and a double by Brade scored him for the game winner as the game was called due to the league’s 2-hour time limit.
The team returns to action next Monday night when they host the Hurricanes back on Cowboy Field in Coppell. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30PM and fans can click here for schedule details.
Ranger Fire, Inc. Players of the Game
Cliff Brade (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, GW RBI)
Kirk Sipila (2-2, 3B, 2 R, BB)
Kevin Simmons (2-2, 2 RBI)