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 Turks Rake in Hits, but Come Up Short in Runs

Written By Kaeyln Spickler
Turks Staff Writer

Harrisonburg, VA. – The Harrisonburg Turks fell to the New Market Rebels last night, 6-3. Despite the loss, three Turks players continued their hitting streak, including the shortstop Zack Budzik who has accumulated a hit every game, and two players got their first hit.

The Turks dug themselves in a hole in the first inning, giving up four runs off four hits in the top of the first. On the offensive side, the Turks made contact with the ball but struggled to get a hit. Left fielder Jed Bryant got the only hit that inning, making it to second base for the Turks. By doing so, Bryant continued his hitting streak to four games.

In the top of the second inning, the Turks put Elon University’s pitcher, Jack Roberts, on the mound. Roberts gave up three hits and two runs in the top of the third and one hit in the top of the fourth.

The bottom of the fourth inning gave some action for Turks fans. Bryant steps up to the plate, and again, secures a hit making it to first. First baseman Josh Madole follows suit and hits a single. The designated hitter Travis Reifsnider advances to first off of fielder’s choice, but by the end of the inning, none of the base runners cross home plate, and two are left on base.

The next four innings the Turks seem to come alive. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Budzik hits a single making it to an eight-game hitting streak out of eight games.

In the top of the sixth inning, Eli Ellington takes Roberts’ spot on the mound and strikes out six Rebels in his three innings. “I was so happy for Eli tonight. He came in and has had trouble holding strikes the last couple of years, and he was on fire tonight. I am so happy for him tonight. It’s unbelievable,” Coach Wease said.

Back on offense, Reifsnider bunts the ball to get a hit and make it to first upping his hitting streak to three games. In the bottom of the seventh inning, center-fielder Hayden Cartt hits a single for his first hit of the season.

The eighth inning is a big inning for the Turks, and fans get hopeful of a comeback. Budzik hits another single and will later score off of Bryant’s double. Madole hits a double to bring in Bryant, and third baseman Nick Zona hits a single to bring in Madole, and knock out his first hit of the season. In total, the Turks will end the inning with four hits, two runs, and two runners left on base.

The game wraps up with a quick ninth inning. Jack Goonan closes out the game for the Turks, striking out three of the final four Rebels’ batters. The Turks go through four more batters, but none closed the score deficit.

The final score was 6-3 with the Rebels having eight hits, and the Turks raking in 10 hits putting the Turks at 2-6 for the season. “We are going to pick this thing up. I’m not giving up on these guys. This team is as good as any team in the league. We’ve just had some bad, bad breaks to start the season,” Wease said.

The Turks would like to thank DuPont Community Credit Union for sponsoring our Pack the Park night. Head over to www.mydccu.com or any of their convenient locations for all od your banking needs.

On Thursday the Turks are facing the Staunton Braves at Veterans Memorial Park at 7:30 p.m. It’s the fans favorite, June is Dairy Month Pack the Park Night. Be sure to cut the sponsor coupon out of Wednesday, June 12th Daily News Record Sports Section for free admission to the game.