7/26/2009 – Turks Tidbits
Written by Matthew Vanover James Madison University Intern
Harrisonburg, VA – The Turks lost a hard fought battle to New Market as their comeback bid fell just short as they lost at home, 10-9. The Rebels set the tone of the game in the first inning as they scored six runs to put the Turks’ back against the wall. After Turks starting pitcher Clint Dempster (Thibodaux, La/Miss. Gulf Coast) induced the first two New Market batters into outs, Seth Kivett (Bearcreek, N.Chttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/UNC-Pembroke) hit a single through the right side of the Turks infield. After a walk by Sanchez Gartman (Newberry, S.Chttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/USC-Sumter) put runners on first and second, the Turks defense was on their heels. Zak Messer (Bristol, Vahttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/Walters State CC) had an infield single that loaded the bases, and set the stage for a two out rally. After a series of hits, walks, and errors, the Turks were behind by six after one inning of play. With the Turks trailing 10-2 in the bottom of the sixth, they made the game interesting. Ryan Eden (Slidell, Lahttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/New Orleans) and Thomas Nichols (Georgia Tech) were able to reach base and put runners of second and third with no outs. Next batter Mike Schwartz (Tampa, Flahttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/Tampa) was able to knock in Eden with assistance from a Rebel error. After a Jack Posey (Florida State) walk reloaded the bases, Shaun Cooper (Arizona) came through with a two run single up the middle of the Rebel infield. After the Turks cut the deficit to five, they went back to work in the bottom of the seventh. The bases were once again loaded after Mike Schwartz (Tampa, Flahttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/Tampa) walked. Next batter Jack Posey (Florida State) made the score 10-7 with a two run single up the middle. Two batters later, Nathan Bryan (Oklahoma State) cut the Rebel lead to two with an RBI single up the middle. The Turks made the game more interesting when they continued to fight back in the bottom of the eighth. Mike Schwartz (Tampa, Flahttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/Tampa) singled up the middle to score Raymond Quinones (New York, N.Yhttps://harrisonburgturks.com/NewsManager/UNC Greensboro) and cut the lead to one with one inning to play. The ninth inning brought Thomas Nichols to the mound to relieve Jack Posey (Florida State) who pitched two scoreless innings and put the Turks in position for a classic comeback. After Nichols retired the New Market half of the ninth in order, the Turks came to bat with a chance to steal a win. Unfortunately, the Turks offense did not have enough in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game. A Parker Brunelle (Florida State) single was the only threat the Turks made in the inning as their comeback bid fell short. The Turks will close out their regular season home campaign this Wednesday evening when they host with New Market at 5 p.m.