07/01/2009 – Turks Tidbits
Written By Matthew Vanover James Madison University Intern The Turks fell behind 5-0, and could not pull off another late rally as they lost to Rockbridge, 7-6. The Rockbridge Rapids were able to put together some timely hitting along with costly Turks errors to take a 5-0 lead going into the bottom of the fourth. A 52 minute rain delay in the middle of the fourth was just what the Turks needed. The bats came alive for the Turks after the rain passed. Mike Schwartz (Tampa, Flahttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/Tampa) started off the bottom of the fourth with a walk. Nathan Weglarz (Homewood, Illhttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/St. Joseph’s) and Victor Croglio (Fayetteville, N.Yhttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/Richmond) had back to back singles to load the bases with no outs. It looked like mother nature had gift wrapped a huge inning for the Turks. Unfortunately, the Turks only managed one run to cut the lead to 5-1. With the score the same in the bottom of the fifth, the Turks were fighting not only the Rockbridge Rapids but daylight as well. Long Field Mauck Stadium does not have lights so it seemed the Turks had a sense of urgency to cut into the Rockbridge lead. Thomas Nichols (Georgia Tech) started off the Turks half of the fifth with a walk. Next batter Bobby Brown (San Diego, Califhttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/Arizona) reached on an error by the second basemen. An errant throw to first was enough to score Nichols all the way from first. With Brown on third, Mike Schwartz (Tampa, Flahttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/Tampa) doubled to left field to score him. A wild pitch moved Schwartz over to third. Nathan Weglarz then(Homewood, Illhttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/St. Joseph’s) grounded into a fielder’s choice which scored Schwartz from third. With the lead cut to 5-4 after the fifth, all the momentum seemed to be in the Turks favor. In the top of the sixth, Rockbridge was able to manufacture a run to stretch their lead back to two runs. The Turks did not go away. In the bottom of the sixth the bats continued to stay hot for the Turks. Garrett May (Marietta, Gahttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/East Tennesse State) doubled to right center with one out in the inning. Two batters later with two outs, Thomas Nichols (Georgia Tech) tied the game with one swing of the bat. Nichols hit a towering two run home run over the right field fence to knot the score at six. With the score the same, Rockbridge went to bat in the top of the eighth. After giving up a single to Scott Colton, the Turks achilles heel showed. Colton would steal second to put himself in scoring position. Being in scoring position was not enough for the gutsy Rapids as Colton successfully stole third as well. The Turks have had trouble all year containing base runners from stealing. This lapse in the Turks defense proved to be the difference in the game. A sacrifice fly scored Colton from third. The Turks were unable to answer in the bottom of the eighth, so the game went into the ninth with Rockbridge leading 7-6. Unfortunately, the Turks would not get another chance to even the score, as the umpire called the game due to darkness after two Rockbridge batters were hit by pitches. The Turks will look to bounce back tomorrow evening as they host Staunton at 5 p.m. Thursday’s game is “Drs’ Biery and Paulette Booster Night”. Fans bring the advertisement from the Daily News Record and receive free admission compliments of Drs. Biery and Paulette.