Written by Rodrigo Aviles
Turks Broadcast Intern

Front Royal, Va. –  After a disappointing lost to the Waynesboro Generals on Saturday night, the Harrisonburg Turks bounced back to get the victory over the Front Royal Cardinals. A couple of big plays early and late in the game allowed the Turks to secure the 5-1 victory.

To start off the first inning, McCann Mellett was grounded out on his way to first. However, the Turks’ shortstop Zac Budzik stepped up to the plate and blasted a home run on his very first at bat.

In the next six innings, the score remained the same with the Turks leading 1-0. The Turks once again were able to get on base but were having trouble scoring.

It took until the eighth inning for the Turks to finally take over the ball game. Caston Peter, the Turks’ designated hitter, led things off with a double. First baseman, Josh Madole, was able to hit a single and bat in Peter. The Turks now led the Cardinals 2-0.

Up next was the Turks’ right fielder, Travis Reifsnider, and he was walked by Cardinals’ pitcher, Trey Fields. This advanced Madole to second base. Madole and Reifsnider both advanced after a dropped pitch by the Cardinals’ catcher Easton Waterman.

Afterwards, the Turks’ Jacob Edwards was also walked by Fields. The bases were now loaded for upcoming hitter Aaron Levy.

Aaron Levy, the Turks’ third baseman, smacked the ball towards right-center field. The ball bounced off the wall at Bing Crosby Stadium and Levy earned himself a triple. The hit allowed Madole, Reifsnider, and Edwards to cross home plate and score three runs for the Turks.

In the top of the eighth, the Turks scored four runs on three hits putting them 5-0 over the Cardinals.

Jacob Ferris was the winning pitcher for the Turks pitching a full seven innings. He allowed five hits and registered eight strikeouts.

Ferris was replaced by Pablo Suarez in the eighth inning. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Suarez balked which allowed the catcher Easton Waterman to score for the Cardinals.

In the ninth inning, Suarez balked two more times, but was able to strikeout Levi Leisenring to end the game and allow the Turks to leave Front Royal with the road win.

Suarez allowed one hit, one run, one walk, and threw three strikeouts in two innings pitched for the Turks.

Monday the Turks, now 2-1, will travel to Gypsy Hill Park to take on the Staunton Braves, who are 1-2 coming off a 18-4 defeat at the hands of the Charlottesville Tom Sox.