By Jen Kulju
Turks Staff Writer

The Harrisonburg Turks took a loss to the Staunton Braves on Wednesday. It was a scoreless game until the fifth inning when both teams managed a run. The Braves added two more in the sixth and went on to win by a final score of 3-1.

Staunton’s runs came against Turks’ starting pitcher Alex Rodriguez (Wingate). With one out in the fifth, Luke Jackson singled to left and stole second. Brycen Thomas then singled, which scored Jackson. The Turks bounced back with a run of their own at the bottom of the inning. Cam Irvine (Virginia Tech) walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Grant Van Scoy (Illinois). The Braves brought in pitcher Jeremy Cook after Tristan Baker (Shenandoah) walked and Kyle Johnson (Rider) flew to right, moving Irvine to third. Irvine scored the Turks only run on a gutsy double steal.

The Braves weren’t finished, however. Brett Willett homered in the sixth, scoring teammate Cole Swiger who had been hit by a pitch. And the rest is, well… history. The Turks’ Cade Bullinger (Midland College) relieved Rodriguez in the sixth and didn’t allow a hit. Pitcher Kevin Mintz (UNC Wilmington) finished out the game for the Turks.

The other two hits by the Turks came in the eighth and ninth innings. Right fielder Paul Castillo (E. Florida State) singled to left in the eighth and Zach Little (Wingate) reached first on an infield single in the ninth.

Next up for the Turks is Thursday’s away game against the Winchester Royals, whom they beat on Monday at the home opener. Let’s hope for another victory!