6/03/05

WINCHESTER, Va., June 3, 2005 – Sophomore left-hander Peden Rucker (South Carolina-Aiken) gave defending champion Winchester a complete-game effort on the mound, and the Royals pulled away with five runs in their final two at bats in a 6-2 victory over visiting Harrisonburg tonight at Bridgeforth Field. It was the season opener for both teams. Junior catcher Matt Sluder (James Madison) and sophomore shortstop Steven Head (Indiana) each went 2-for-4 as the Turks out-hit the Royals, 8-7. However, the Turks committed three errors to two for the hosts. Sophomore catcher Josh Thompson (Mercer) was 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Royals. Eric Fussell (Yavapai J.C.) took the loss for the Turks, working 6 1/3 innings in the start. The two teams square off again Saturday night with a 7:30 contest at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Harrisonburg.