W: Kraft (1-0)
L: Walker (0-1)

Torrential downpours and tornado warnings were no match for the Turks as they edged out the defending champion Covington Lumberjacks, 6-5, on the Valley League’s opening night.

The Turks, who hosted the only game that wasn’t cancelled due to inclement weather, were led by pitcher Mike Kraft (1-0), who was sharp despite the two runs given up in the top of the second inning. Kraft struggled at first, but ended with seven K’s in six strong innings. Dillon Ortman pitched two innings of relief with four strikeouts.

The Turks took a 6-2 lead into the top of the ninth, but a quick three-run rally on closer Joe Charest by the Lumberjacks placed the lead in jeopardy. With two outs and runners on first and third, catcher Eric Mason used a beautiful pump fake to second to throw the runner out at third, and the game was over. Covington’s Chris Walker (0-1) took the loss.

Offensively, the Turks were led by first baseman Charlie Morgan, whose 3-run bomb over the right field wall in the bottom of the first inning became the first home run of the 2012 Valley League season.