06/07/2009 – Turks Tidbits

Written by Matt Vanover James Madison University Intern

The Turks capped off the weekend with a 5-2 loss at the hands of the Woodstock River Bandits. Woodstock got the scoring started in the first inning with a double from their leadoff man Johnathan Kosco (Tampa, Florida/South Florida). That base hit accompanied by a couple of walks, a fielder’s choice, and a passed ball was enough to manufacture two runs despite only having one hit. The score was 3-0 in the fourth when the Turks put up their only runs of the game. After Nathan Weglarz (Homewood, Illinois/St. Joseph’s) singled, Mike Schwartz (Tampa, Florida/Tampa) walked to have runners on first and second with no outs. Weglarz was picked off at second by the catcher. That play proved to be costly as the next hitter, Bobby Brown, (San Diego, California/Arizona) double down the line which would have scored Weglarz easily. Nathan Bryan (Andrews, Texas/Oklahoma State) then flied out to center field to tag and score Swartz from third. Victor Croglio, (Fayetville, New York/Richmond) who was the lone bright spot at the plate going 2-4, then doubled to score Brown. The Turks could manage just four hits in this humbling loss. The defense kept the game within reach with solid infield play from shortstop Victor Croglio, (Fayateville, NY/University of Richmond) second baseman Daniel Heatwole, (Turner Ashby High School) and third baseman Raymond Quinones (New York, New York/UNC-Greensboro). Despite the disappointing loss, veteran coach Bob Wease was not discouraged. “I told the guys after the game; hey you didn’t think we were gonna go undefeated did you,” coach Wease said. Despite a lack of hitting, batters remained patient at the plate drawing eight walks. “We are gonna have games like this. Sometimes you just don’t hit that well; it’s baseball,” said Wease. Starting pitcher Garrett Parker, (Duncanville, TX/Oklahoma City) a Turks veteran, pitched five innings giving up five hits, four walks, and three runs which two of those runs were earned. Parker gave way to Ed Wakefield (Larkspur, California/Portland) in the sixth inning with the Turks trailing 3-2. Wakefield, who was making his Turks debut, pitched two innings giving up two earned runs. Wakefield showed promise, but control issues were his demise. Two other Turks made their season debut on the mound. Joey Munoz (Deltona, Florida/Bethune Cookman) and Brad Riddle (Bethany, Oklahoma/Oklahoma City) both pitched one inning of scoreless ball. The Turks are back in action Tuesday night against Fauquier at home (James Madison University’s Long Field Mauck Stadium), 5pm starting time.