7/6/04 – Written by Denise Wampler, JMU Communications Intern

The Harrisonburg TURKS (16-10) and leaders of the Southern Division, played host to the last place Waynesboro Generals (6-19) on July 6, where the TURKS were handed their 10th loss of the season, losing 3-1 in nine complete innings of play. A rare situation occurred at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium in Harrisonburg, as the TURKS pitching staff held the Generals hitless on the night, but still managed to suffer the loss. Despite producing zero hits on the night, the Generals took advantage of the TURKS nine walks. Freshman, Pat Caldwell (Yavapai Junior College) (2-2), started the game for the TURKS going eight complete innings, giving up three runs, off zero hits, and striking out 11. Caldwell had an impressive showing other than the fact that he issued nine walks on the night, walking four consecutively in the bottom of the second, which allowed two runs to score. The TURKS held the Generals scoreless for the next five innings, until the eighth, where the Generals posted another run, off a walk, and back-to-back TURKS errors. The TURKS usually perform solidly in the field, but committed three errors on the night. While the Generals generated no hits on the night, the TURKS also struggled on the offensive end, producing just five hits, two of which came from third baseman, Ryan Parker (Junior, Indiana University) (2-4). The other three hits of the night, all singles came from shortstop, Gered Mochizuki (Freshman, Yavapai Junior College) (1-4), right fielder, Ryan Gotcher (Junior, Indiana University) (1-4), and second baseman, Corby Heckman (Junior, Indiana University) (1-4). The TURKS threatened in the bottom of the ninth, manufacturing back-to-back singles by Parker and Gotcher, followed by a General error, which allowed one run to score; however the effort was not enough. Newcomer pitcher, Adam Poole (Sophomore, Lincoln Trail), collected the final three outs of the ninth for the TURKS, while Caldwell, was charged with the loss, falling to 2-2 on the year. The TURKS will play host to the New Market Rebels tomorrow, July 8th in a make up game. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Come out and support your TURKS!