Braves Tumble To First Loss

6/07/04 – Staunton News Leader

Braves tumble to first loss Turks’ lefty pitches shutout By Al Samuels Sports Writer Staunton News Leader ——————————————————————————– HARRISONBURG — It was not the Staunton Braves night Sunday as they fell to the Harrisonburg Turks 5-0 in Valley Baseball League action. JMU lefty Greg Nesbitt picked up the win, shutting the Braves down for seven innings despite giving up six hits. He struck out six and walked none as control and defense were the keys to the Turks’ victory. The Braves got a baserunner on in every inning and had a hit in the second through the eighth frames, but just could not get a clutch hits. The Turks also turned three double plays and the Braves committed four errors. After a 1-2-3 first inning, Braves starter Chap Morris ran into trouble in the second. Mitchell Moses reached on a one-out double. After moving to third on a botched rundown by the Braves on a fielder’s choice, he scored on Matt Sluder’s squeeze bunt. In the third, the Turks loaded the bases on an error, a single by leadoff man Gered Mochizuki and a perfect bunt single by Reggie Watson. A sacrifice fly by Corby Heckman plated one run before a wild pitch brought home the second tally to give Harrisonburg a 3-0 lead. The Turks added another run in the fourth on Ryan Parker’s double and an RBI single by Jeff Halbert to increase the lead to 4-0. In the seventh inning, Braves manager Lawrence Nesselrodt had had enough close calls go against his team, and he got the heave-ho from the home plate umpire. On the play in question, the Turks’ Watson stole second as Heckman struck out. But on the catcher’s throw to second, the batter fell into the catcher’s path on his follow through. Nesselrodt argued for interference to no avail and got tossed. Watson scored on Nate Schill’s single to right to give the Turks a 5-0 lead. The Braves’ best chance to score came against reliever Tim Gudex in the eighth when a single by Chase Tucker and a walk put runners on first and second with none out. But a fly ball and a base running gaffe on another fly ball that led to a double play ended the inning. Shane Justis and George Hanger led the Braves with two hits each. The Braves will return home Tuesday night against Waynesboro. STAUNTON 000 000 000 — 0 7 4 HARRISONBURG 012 100 10x — 5 6 1 Morris, Ingram (5), C.Glafenhein (8) and Baisley, Engelhardt (8). Nesbitt, Gudex (8) and Sluder. W — Nesbitt. L — Morris. HR — none.