06/06/2009 – Turks Tidbits
Written by Matt Vanover James Madison University Intern
The Harrisonburg Turks opened up their 2009 home campaign with an impressive 8-2 victory over the New Market Rebels. Starting pitcher Clint Dempster (Thibodaux, LA/Miss. Gulf Coast) got the win while giving up just three hits in five innings pitched. His control was a little shaky at times, but his off speed pitches kept the Rebels hitters on their heels. The Rebels jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning with patient hitting and smart base running. Two walks got their inning started, followed by a throwing error which scored their first run. Their second and final run came with an old little league move; runners on first and third, runner on first steals second while the runner from third simultaneously goes home as the catcher makes a throw to second. After the second inning, Dempster settled down and the Turks played solid on defense. The Turks cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom of third with a trio of walks accompanied by one base hit. The bottom of t!!he fourth opened the game wide open for the Turks. A walk by Nathan Bryan (Andrew, Texas/Oklahoma State) started off the inning, followed by consecutive base hits from Bobby Brown (San Diego, California/University of Arizona) and Victor Croglio (Fayetville, New York/University of Richmond). The five runs they scored in the fourth was capped off by a towering opposite field three run home run by Raymond Quinones (New York, New York/UNC-Greensboro). The Turks tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the eighth as they cruised to victory. The Turks batters were extremely patient drawing a barage of walks which was the true difference in the ball game. The Turks are back in action tomorrow night at Long Field Mauck Stadium as they host Woodstock River Bandits, 5 pm starting time.