W: Jordan Priddle (1-1)
L: Devin Smith (4-1)

 

The Turks blasted their way to a powerful 11-4 win over the visiting Waynesboro Generals Monday night to stay alive for the Southern Division #1 seed.

Atypical starter Jordan Priddle earned his first win of the season by allowing just three runs into the seventh inning. He recorded seven strikeouts, but more importantly, got plenty of run support from his teammates.

The Generals took an early 2-0 lead, scoring one run in the first and third frames, but the Turks scored a whopping seven runs in the bottom of the third inning. The seven runs, powered in no small part by  two triples by left fielder Ryan Brown and right fielder Charles Sheffield, would be enough to win the game. By the conclusion of the night’s game, though, Harrisonburg (27-15) had amassed 11 runs on 14 hits and had thoroughly left Waynesboro (29-13) scrambling for more effective relief pitching.

As is the case in any big scoring outings, Harrisonburg had several players with particularly strong offensive performances. Designated hitter Ryan Haas and first baseman Brian Yeung both finished 2 of 3 with two RBI, a score of their own, and a walk;  all-star center fielder finished a perfect 3 of 3 with an RBI, a walk, and three scores. Perhaps the best line of the night was Brown’s, who finished 3 of 5 with an RBI and just a home run short of the cycle.

Center Fielder Julian Ridings paced the Generals with a 2/5, 1 RBI performance.

Devin Smith took his first loss of the season for Waynesboro. Smith looked lethal early on, but was pulled late in the third after allowing the big inning for the Turks. He is still a premiere Valley League pitcher with a record of 4-1.

 

Harrisonburg remains two games back with two games remaining on the schedule. Both games will be played Tuesday, July 24. Covington will visit Harrisonburg for an afternoon 2:00PM game, and the Staunton Braves will close the regular season at the regular time of 7:30.

Waynesboro will close its season with a Wednesday evening doubleheader at Rockbridge. The Generals can clinch the #1 Southern Division playoff seed with a win in either game.

Should Harrisonburg defeat both Covington and Staunton while Rockbridge sweeps Waynesboro, both teams would finish 29-15.

The head to head series is tied at 3-3.