06/13/2009 – Turks Tidbits
Written by Matt Vanover James Madison University Intern Harrisonburg, VA – The Turks took the field on United Way Recognition night against the Winchester Royals and lost 5-3, evening up their record at 3-3. Once again the Turks got out to a slow start, falling behind in the first inning. The Turks evened the score up at one in the bottom of the second when Nathan Bryan (Andrews, TX/Oklahoma State) got the Turks first hit of the night with a double to right center. Two batter later Bryan would score off of an RBI single from former Turner Ashby Knight Daniel Heatwole. Starting pitcher Clint Dempster (Thidbodauz, Lahttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/Miss. Gulf Coast) had to leave the game in the first inning with muscle soreness in his bicep. Joey Munoz (Deltona, Flhttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/Bethune Cookman) came to his relief and pitched an unanticipated six and a third innings. Munoz gave up just two earned runs in his night’s work while giving up three hits and three walks. The achilles heel thus far for the Turks has been timely hitting. Saturday evening was another frustrating one for the Turks. Ten hits only managed them three runs. “We need to start putting more hits together in the early innings as opposed waiting to the later innings to get the job done,” said Assistant Coach Zak Kinnison. Although frustrated, Coach Kinnison remained positive and expects the team to respond. “Tomorrow night we are going to come out firing. We are so close and I know it’s coming around. We still have a couple guys that haven’t joined the team that will have an immediate impact.” Trailing 5-1 going into the bottom of the ninth, the Turks put up what has become an early season trademark, a late rally. Garret May (Marietta, Gahttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/East Tenn. State) started off the inning with a double down the left field line. Mike Schwartz (Tampa, Flahttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/Tampa) followed suit with a double of his own, cutting the deficit to 5-2. Three batter later, newcomer Parker Brunelle (Florida State) singled to right field to load the bases with just one out. Nathan Bryan, (Andrews, TX/Oklahoma State) who was the hero the other night in Haymarket stepped to the plate with a chance to tie or take the lead. Unfortunately, Bryan could not repeat his heroics from the other night as he grounded into a game ending 1-2-3 double play. The Turks next home game is this Tuesday 5 p.m. at Long Field Mauck Stadium as they will host Luray for a second time this season.