6/15/04 – Written by Denise Wampler, JMU Communications Intern

The Luray Wranglers (7-1) out hit the Harrisonburg TURKS (6-2), handing the TURKS their second loss of the 2004 season. The Wranglers put on a hitting spree, posting 15 hits, seven which came in the eigth inning and outscoring the TURKS 9-5. The Wranglers had eight of their nine starters, with at least one hit. The eighth inning brought about the second A Wrangler batter swung on a pitch, which rolled slowly to third. TURKS third basemen, Corby Heckman (Junior, Indiana U.), fielded the hit and threw it to first, collecting the third out of the inning. After the TURKS players had cleared the field and suited up to bat, Wrangler, Head Coach, Mike Bocock, challenged the call, claiming the TURKS first baseman, Ryan Parker, had pulled his foot off the bag. After discussion between the home plate and base path umpire, the call was revered. TURKS players were returned to the field, the slow roller, scored an infield hit, and the inning continued. Only, one run went on to score after the controversial call, but the damage had already been done. The TURKS entered the bottom of the eighth down, 9-5. The TURKS posted nine hits, and were lead by right fielder, Ryan Gotcher (Freshman, SW Missouri State), who was 3-4, and first baseman, Ryan Parker (Junior, Indiana U.), who produced two hits in four at bats. Tim Gudex (Sophomore, Iowa University), started the game for the TURKS, going six complete innings, giving up three runs on six hits, striking out 12, and walking one. Pat Caldwell (Freshman Yavapi Junior College) and Andrew Weber (Junior, Southern Illinois), combined their efforts for the final three innings for the TURKS. Weber (0-1) was charged with the loss; his first of the season. With this loss, the TURKS drop to 6-2, however, are still leading the Southern Division. The Wranglers improved to 7-1, and remain the number one seed in the Northern Division. The TURKS will travel to Winchester tomorrow, June 16, for a make-up game with the Winchester Royals. June 17, the TURKS will travel to New Market to take on the Rebels, and then return home on Friday, June 18, to host the Waynesboro Generals. Game time for all three games will be 7:30 p.m.