Rodrigo Aviles
Turks Broadcast Intern
Covington, VA- The Harrisonburg Turks get a 3-2 victory in a close game with the Covington Lumberjacks. Both teams got nine hits on the night, but it was the Turks who were able to escape with the win.
The Turks came into the game shorthanded having six players representing the Valley League in the Prospect Showcase in North Carolina. The Turks were missing pitchers Eli Ellington, Alex Hoppe, Cole McNamee and Will Brian. Jed Bryant and Josh Madole were also missing.
The Lumberjacks struck first in the game. In the bottom of the second, Covington’s Brayden Combs scored after Jonathan Barditch grounded out at first base.
The Lumberjacks scored one more run in the bottom of the third. Matthew Cocciadiferro scored off a wild pitch.
Harrisonburg made a pitching substitution in the bottom of the fourth inning subbing in Mason Powell for Rafe Schindler. Schindler pitched in three innings giving up two hits and two earned runs. Schindler walked two players and threw one strikeout. He received a 5.51 ERA.
In the top of the sixth, the Turks responded with a run of their own. Aaron Levy doubled to center field and McCann Mellett came across to put the Turks on the board.
The Turks tied the game in the top of the seventh. Tom Caufield, after stealing third base, took off and scored off a wild pitch.
The Turks substituted pitcher Matthew Larson for Mason Powell in bottom of the eight. Powell threw in four and one-thirds innings. Powell allowed six hits, no runs, walked two batters and threw one strikeout.
The game was tied 2-2 entering the top of the ninth inning. Austin Lynch stepped up with the bases loaded for the Turks. Lynch then hit a sacrifice fly to left field and RJ Schreck crossed home plate to score the winning run for the Turks.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Turks made another pitching substitution putting in Nick Zona. Zona replaced Matthew Larson who threw in only two-thirds of an inning. Larson registered one strikeout receiving a 5.40 ERA and got the win on the night.
Zona got the save on the night. He allowed one hit and walked one player.
The Turks (14-19) will travel to First Bank Park to take on the Strasburg Express (20-13) at 7 p.m. tonight.