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

The Walk Off Losses Continue for the Turks

Turks News / By /

By Jack Fitzpatrick
Broadcasting Intern

PURCELLVILLE– In another hot and steamy night in Purcellville the Harrisonburg Turks (13-13) lost a heartbreaker to the Purcellville Cannons (12-11) 4-3. The Turks blasted two home runs and had nine hits but that wasn’t enough as the Cannons loaded the bases in the ninth and won it by way of walk-off.

In the top of the ninth the Turks had a chance at a double steal with Austin Embler (UNC-Greensboro, senior) on first and Cam Irvine (Virginia Tech, sophomore) on third. The Cannons played it perfectly conceding the steal of second and holding the runner at third. From there Zach Little (Wingate, senior) blasted a line drive right up the middle but Blade Baker, the Cannons shortstop, made a diving stop and
made the throw over the first to end the inning.

 

From there the Cannons had the opportunity in the bottom of the ninth to win the game. Eli Ellington (UNC-Charoltte, RS-sophomore) started the ninth forcing two outs but with a chance to send the game to extras walked the batter, Kyle Hayes. Josh Karklin (Wingate, junior) came in to finish out the game and he walked the 4’11 Kenny Oyama. From there Christian Garabedian jumped on the first pitch he saw, sending it to shallow left scoring the winning run.

The game was back and forth from beginning to end. It all started with the second at-bat of the entire game when Embler sneaked one over the right field wall. From there the game saw four scoreless innings behind the arms of Rafe Schindler (University of New Orleans, sophomore) for the Turks and James Beasley for the Cannons.

The game opened back up in the sixth inning with a three-run home run by the Cannons Troy Weatherly. The Turks then rallied back and scored two in the top of the seventh to tie it behind another Embler home run. However that wasn’t enough as the Cannons put up the final run to finish it.

Embler had his best game of the season tonight. He had the first multi-home run game by any Turk this season and he tacked on another hit with two walks, one being an intentional walk. Brett Whelton in his first game back from injury didn’t miss a beat either, he was 2-4 on the night.

This loss was the eighth time the Turks lossed this season by way of walk-off and was the fifth in the last seven. The Turks have not been able to catch a break late in games and have struggled to pull away from teams.

On the night Matt Marsili (1-0) of the Cannons earned the win in his relief appearance and Josh Karklin (1-2) picked up the loss. In total the pitching was solid throughout the game for both sides as the Turks saw Kevin Mintz (UNCW, sophomore), Jake Lane (Florida Tech, senior) and Ellington take the mound and have solid appearances.

The Turks look to get back in the win column when they return to action on Thursday, July 5 against the Front Royal Cardinals (14-6) at Bing Crosby Stadium.

The Turks return home to Veterans Memorial Park on Friday, July 6 against the Waynesboro Generals (11-12). That game is also Massanutten Regional Library Free Friday Night and MedExpress friday family fun night.