7/31/2010 – Turks Tidbits
TURK fall to Rapids 4-0 In Rain-Shortened Game, Now Tied for Fifth
By Thomas Cornwell Boston College Intern
Harrisonburg, VA—Following a late afternoon rain shower, the skies over Eagle Field Saturday night were ominous heading into the Harrisonburg TURKS matchup with the Rockbridge Rapids, unfortunately for the TURKS the overcast skies were the highlight of the evening. The Rapids (17-25) plated three runs in the top of the third to mount a lead the TURKS (21-21) could not overcome before the rains came in the top of the sixth, ensuring the TURKS fourth straight loss and dropping them into a fifth place tie with idle Waynesboro.
Although the TURKS had a two out scoring chance in the bottom of the first inning, nothing came of it and both teams were rather quiet offensively for the first two innings. The top of the third inning, however, was nightmare that cost the TURKS the game. With two outs, Rapids centerfielder William Smalls (Albany State) doubled down the left field line, giving Rockbridge their first scoring threat of the evening. Leftfielder Andrew Barna (Davidson) then singled past TURKS shortstop Connor Winn (Georgia Tech), scoring Smalls to give the Rapids a 1-0 lead. Dillion Way (USC-Sumter) then singled, advancing Barna to second. A Sanchez Gartman (Newberry) flyout advanced the runners to second and third with two outs. Catcher Bryan Henry (Chestnut Hill) extended the Rockbridge lead to 3-0 with a single to center which plated both Way and Barna.
The TURKS again put together a scoring chance in the bottom of the fourth inning, with runners at second a third with one out, but once again nothing materialized and zeros on the scoreboard continued for the TURKS. The top of the sixth inning saw the skies open again over Eagle Field. However, before the rain delay began and the ultimate outcome was finalized, Rapids right fielder Sanchez Gartman blasted a homerun over the right field wall, giving Rockbridge their fourth run of the evening which capped an all important win for the Rapids as they fight for the VBL’s final playoff spot.
While the last four nights have ended in disappointment for the TURKS, the most important moments lay ahead. They are now tied for fifth place (two games behind Front Royal for fourth) with Waynesboro with their final two games coming against the Generals Monday night (at 5:30 and 7:30), giving the Red and Blue the opportunity to pick up some momentum heading into the postseason where anything can happen.