Robinson Proves To Be Difference

By: Michael Janney, JMU Intern

Harrisonburg, Va., June 17, 2005- Sophomore first baseman Clint Robinson (Troy) hit a two-out double in the bottom of the ninth to score sophomore Lucas Delong (San Francisco) from first base, scoring the game-winning run to knock off Woodstock 8-7. The Turks won their third-straight game to improve to 7-6 while the River Bandits fell to 4-9 on the season. Woodstock was leading 3-1 until Harrisonburg scored four runs in the sixth, giving the Turks a 5-3 advantage. Though the River Bandits wouldn’t back down, Woodstock scored one more in the seventh to cut the Turks lead to just one. In the bottom of the seventh inning Harrisonburg scored two more runs off of Robinson’s first double of the game, giving Harrisonburg a 7-4 lead going into the eight inning. In the eight inning, Harrisonburg’s pitchers struggled with their control allowing Woodstock to score three runs off of only one hit, making the score at 7-all. Reliever Chad Dawson picked up the win, while pitching 1 1/3 innings and striking out the side in the ninth to help set up Robinson’s game-ending dramatics. Dawson improved to 1-1 on the season. Coming into the Woodstock game freshman starter Stephen Ochs (Florida State) had a 0.00 ERA, allowing only six hits through 12 innings of work. Ochs struggled with his control allowing six hits and two runs in the first two innings. Ochs finished with throwing 6 2/3 innings allowing four runs off of 12 hits, one walk, and struck out six in the no decision. Harrisonburg was led by Robinson who went 3-for-4 with two doubles, four RBIs, and one run scored, and sophomore center fielder Scott Cousins (San Francisco) who went 4-for-5, one double, two runs scored and two RBI. Sophomore third baseman Steve Head (Indiana) helped the Turks going 1-for-3 with a key two-out triple in the sixth inning scoring two Turk base runners. Sophomore reliever Matthew Mallory (Vernon JC) suffered his second loss of the season, while pitching the final three innings. Harrisonburg will travel to face New Market on Saturday night at Rebel Park with a 7:30 p.m. start.