Harrisonburg Turks

Member of the Valley Baseball League and NACSB.

  • 1955 VBL Champions
  • 1958 VBL Champions
  • 1959 VBL Champions
  • 1962 VBL Champions
  • 1964 VBL Champions
  • 1969 VBL Champions
  • 1970 VBL Champions
  • 1971 VBL Champions
  • 1977 VBL Champions
  • 1991 VBL Champions
  • 2000 VBL Champions
  • 2012 VBL Champions
  • 2023 VBL Champions

Turks Stay Hot With Gritty Win in New Market

By Dave Norman
Webcast Announcer

NEW MARKET–Solid pitching, timely hitting and capitalizing on mistakes were the keys, as the Turks won their 4 straight ball game, 4-2 at Rebel Park in New Market.

Right-hander Luke Scherzer (Virginia Tech) was on the hill for Harrisonburg trying to continue a string of wins and quality starts for the Turks rotation. He did not disappoint. The Turks offense staked him to a 1-0 lead before he took the mound as Grant Van Scoy (Illinois) walked and Austin Embler (UNC-Greensboro) doubled to the alley in left.

The Rebels managed a couple of singles in the 1st, but Scherzer induced a strikeout and popup to end the threat. The game settled into a dual between Scherzer and Rebel righty Ethan Michaelis (North Florida).

In the 4th, Rebels miscues and wildness built an inning for the Turks. Brett Whelton (McNeese State) walked, Zach Little (Wingate) followed with a sharp groundball that eluded the New Market shortstop Cristopher De Guzman and the Turks had Michaelis on the ropes.

Luke Nussman (Shenandoah) executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to move the runners into scoring position for Tristan Baker (Shenandoah). Michaelis, who battled his control most of the outing, uncorked a wild pitch that scored Whelton and move Little to 3rd. After fanning Baker, He threw another wild pitch with David Craan (Illinois) batting that scored Little. He settled down and retired the side, but not before two free runs had been handed over.

The Rebels turned to Matthew Mercer (E. Tennessee) in the 5th and he pitched 3 innings of spotless relief allowing a chance at a rally. Scherzer was a tough nut to crack for New Market as he allowed just 1 run over the same span. He finished the night with 6 innings, 2 runs allowed, 7 hits and 3 strikeouts.

Lefty Daniel Brandon (Longwood) took the hill in the 7th with a 3-2 lead to protect. After walking the first hitter, Brandon found his groove again, fanning two enroute to a spotless inning. Cade Bullinger (Midland College) took the baton from Brandon and after yielding a lead-off single, used his power pitching to set down the Rebels in the 8th.

In the 9th, looking for some insurance, lead-off man Van Scoy singled and Embler sacrifice bunted him to 2nd. Paul Castillo (E. Florida) grounded out to first base, advancing Van Scoy to 3rd for current Turks Player of the Week, Whelton to get his chance. Whelton belted a 0-1 fastball to deep leftfield one-hopping the wall and scoring run number 4.

In the ninth, Rafe Schindler took the hill looking for his 2nd save. Power pitching is his forte, and he did not relent. After striking the first two batters out on just 7 pitches, the third lined to Van Scoy at shortstop sealing the 4-2 win for Harrisonburg. The Turks managed 8 hits on the night, including 4 doubles. Zach Little and Paul Castillo each had two hits.

Harrisonburg (5-2) is home tonight hosting the Front Royal Cardinals, who hold the best record in the Valley Baseball League at 6-2. June is Dairy Month and that will be evident tonight as the Turks host the annual Dairy Night event at the ballpark. A real fan favorite, use the coupon in yesterdays Daily News Record for FREE admission.