07/25/2009 – Turks Tidbits
Written by Matthew Vanover James Madison University Intern Harrisonburg, VA – The first half of the doubleheader was not so friendly to the Turks as they got smacked around by Woodstock, 9-1. With Woodstock leading 1-0 in the top of the third, leadoff man Gerardo Ceceres (Caracas, Venezuela/WV Tech) started the inning off with an innocent single. Ceceres advanced to third after a passed ball and a fielder’s choice. After a walk by Matthew Blow (Richmond, Vahttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/Virginia Tech) put runners of first and third, Eric Kroll (Pace, Flahttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/West Florida) doubled down the left field line to score Blow. With runners now on second and third, Stephen Hunt (Brandon, Flahttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/South Florida) capped off the five run inning with a three run home run to right field. Woodstock tacked on three more runs in the top of the fourth to essentially put the game away. The game, which was originally scheduled for seven innings, was called after six in order to avoid darkness in the second game. The second half of the doubleheader started off much like the first. Woodstock took a one run lead after one inning and looked like they were poised to take both games from the Turks. The Turks offense was sputtering as the Woodstock pitching staff yielded just one hit thorugh four innings. With the score 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth, darkness was approaching and the window of opportunity for the Turks was closing. Any glimmer of hope for the Turks seemed to have been lost. All of a sudden, the Turks bats came alive. Victor Croglio (Fayetville, N.Yhttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/Richmond) led the inning off with a double down the left field line. Two batter later, Raymond Quinones (New York, N.Yhttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/UNC Greensboro) broke the scoring open for the Turks when he singled to right center to knock in Croglio. Thomas Nichols (Georgia Tech) and Jack Posey (Leesburg, Gahttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/Florida State) followed Quinones with back to back doubles and all of a sudden the game was tied at three. Shaun Cooper finished off the rally when he singled to left to score Posey and give the Turks the one run advantage. Turks starting pitcher Ed Wakefield (Larkspur, Califhttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/Portland) pitched four innings giving up two runs on six hits. While walking just one batter, Wakefield contained the River Bandits’ bats enough to keep the game within reach. Wakefield gave way to Brad Riddle (Bethany, Oklahttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/Oklahoma City) who pitched two innings giving up one run on two hits. After the Turks took the lead going into the top of the sixth, Riddle made quick work of Woodstock with a three up three down inning to end the game. The second game, which was also scheduled for seven innings, was called after six due to darkness. The Turks record now stands at 19-19 on the year. The Turks currently hold the eighth and final playoff spot with a one game lead over Covington. Turks fans please join us tomorrow night at Long Field Mauck Stadium as the Turks will host New Market at 5 p.m. We need all the fan support we can get as the Turks try to make a big playoff push this last week of the season .