06/17/2008 – Turks Tidbits

Turks Beat Staunton Braves, 4-3 Written By Andy May, Broadcasting Intern Bridgewater College Harrisonburg- With momentum on their side, the Harrisonburg Turks battled back to beat the Staunton Braves with a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning. It seemed that the Turks were going to roll over the Braves after a first inning. Brett Stewart (Appalachian State) knocked a two-run homer to put the Turks up 2-0 but the Braves battled back scoring a run off of a Jason Stifler (Towson) double. A pitching duel ensued between Turks right-hander Garrett Parker (Oklahoma City) and the Staunton righty Shawn Kale (Central Florida C.C.). Both pitchers pitched well and the score remained 2-1 Turks into the seventh. In the top of the seventh inning Braves centerfielder Max Most (ODU) belted a go-ahead, two-run homer to right. Most was 2-5 on the night with two RBIs and one run. The real drama did not begin until the bottom of the ninth when Landon Camp (Oklahoma City) hit a solo home run to center off Braves closer Donald Howell. It was Camps third long ball of the year and tied the game at 3-3. After a strikeout, Pat Luehring (Saint Joseph’s) pinch hit and knocked a one-out double in the right-center gap. After two walks, the bases were loaded and the table was set for center fielder Drew Johnson (San Francisco). Johnson smashed a low line drive off Howell’s ankle for an infield single to drive in the winning run for the Turks. Johnson went 3-5 for the night with three singles, an RBI, and a stolen base. Austin Sloan (Yavapai) (1-2) got the win in relief for the Turks. Howell (1-1) took the loss.The Harrisonburg Turks (6-9) look to extend their four-game winning streak tomorrow night as they host the Winchester Royals (9-4). Jim Kennedy will be on the mound for the Turks. The Staunton Braves fall to 6-7 and travel to Waynesboro to take on the Generals (7-4).