(October 11, 2025 – Carrollton, TX) A 17-Hit attack lead to 9 to 1 win over the Strangers this past Saturday morning as the ghosts were scheduled for a pair of games at McInnish Park.
It’s been a minute since the Dallas Spirits (50+) has scored less than 10 runs. As a matter of fact, The Spirits have outscored their opponents this fall by a margin of 122 to 10. They currently sit at 8-0 atop the DFW ABA 50-Ball Standings with the next closest team having scored 63 runs. A 112 run scoring differential as opposed to the next team with 14 runs; nearly a difference of 100 runs scored.
The high-octane offense is spread throughout the lineup, with every hitter contributing in one way or another. Last Saturday was no different, as the team batted 12 hitters with only one not reaching base. Kevin Simmons and Vince Parello each finished 3-for-3, with Simmons adding a double, triple, and a pair of runs scored while Parello added a run scored and a run batted in. Brian Kellner added a 2-for-2 performance, also doubling and adding 3 runs batted in. Shawn Lee tripled and scored twice while Kent Fischer and Kirk Sipila each added a pair of hits while each hitter also scored once. Eric Reifschneider also added a hit, walk, run scored, and an RBI.
Earl German went the distance, picking up the complete-game shutout while allowing 9 scattered hits, no earned runs while walking and striking out 3. German also singled and scored once to aid his own cause.
The Spirits scored in the first after Sipila singled with one out and then was squeezed at second when Lee reached on a fielder’s choice. Keller then singled to move Lee to third and lee later scored on an RBI single by Fischer.
The scoreboard remained quiet until the Strangers added a run in the bottom of the second before the Spirits retaliated in the top half of the third after scoring 3 more runs after four straight singles by Parello, Stacy Scott, Eric McPherson, and Sipila. Lee then reached on a fielder’s choice that put out Scott at the dish and Kellner’s follow up double scored both McPherson and Sipila. The runners were left stranded after Fischer grounded out and Shawn Hunt drew a walk before Brad Petty flew out to close out the top half of the inning.
In the fourth, the ghosts put up another 3-spot after Simmons doubled to lead things off. German followed with a single and Reifschneider walked to load the bags. Parello then singled home Simmons and German later scored on a wild pitch. Reifschneider later scored on an RBI sacrifice fly by McPherson to make it 7 to 1, Spirits.
Lee then tripled to start off the fifth and scored on an sacrifice fly by Kellner to make it 8 to 1 before the squad earned their final run in the sixth after Simmons tripled with one out. German flew out but Reifschneider followed with an RBI single to score him before Parello added his third hit on the day prior to Scott lining out.
In the second game, a 10-run second inning after a 5-run first inning seemed to break the spirit of the Cubs as the ghosts had an early 15 to 3 lead after the Cubs initially put up 3 runs of their own following the first. What seemed may be a nice back and forth game at 5 to 3, instantly turned into a backbreaker as the Spirits put up another 13 hits in a 16 to 5 win in game two of the day.
McPherson, Sipila, Kellner, and Fischer each finished with 2 hits in the second game, with McPherson and Kellner adding doubles while Sipila added an inside-the-park homerun that seemed to never stop rolling as hit took off for the right centerfield gap. McPherson added a run scored and 2 runs batted in while Sipila added 3 runs scored and 2 runs batted in. Keller scored twice and knocked in 3 runs while Fischer added a run scored an a run batted in.
Scott picked up the win in 3 innings of work, allowing 4 earned off 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 1. Simmons picked up the close, adding in 2 innings of work while allowing 0 earned off of one hit, while walking 1 and striking out 2.
“(Earl) German was fantastic today,” Lee mentioned after the games. “We left 9 runners on base that first game but hit the ball pretty consistently throughout most of it. Simmons was ripping the cover off the ball and Parello seemed like he may just keep hitting if the game kept going on. (Eric) Reifschneider had a great day as well and so did Kent (Fischer). Pretty fantastic job at the dish today by (Brian) Kellner as well. (Shawn) Hunt was a stud for us as well, once again covering not one, but two games behind the dish. He’s made of steel. Overall, a nice win.”
The Spirits return to action next Saturday when they host Metroflex at 9:00AM. Fans can click here for schedule details.
Ranger Fire, Inc. Players of the Games
Brian Kellner (4-5, 2B (2), 2 R, 6 RBI)
Kevin Simmons (4-6, 3B, 2B, 3 R, RBI; 2 IP, H, BB, 2 K)
Vince Parello (3-5, 2 R, BB, RBI)
Kirk Sipila (4-7, HR, 4 R, 2 RBI)
Kent Fischer (4-6, 2 R, 4 RBI)