W: Alex Cruz (1-2)
L: Ben Krusen (1-2)

 

Spurred on by a raucous home crowd, the Harrisonburg Turks overcame a 2-0 deficit Monday night by scoring four runs in the fifth frame and eventually defeating the Waynesboro Generals 5-2. The two teams will play a decisive game 3 on Tuesday night for the right to play for the 2012 Lineweaver Cup.

Jordan Priddle started on the mound for the Turks, and gave up two runs (one earned) through the first four innings. Though he gave up a double and a home run in the first two at bats, Priddle eventually settled in for three strikeouts, two runs, and one walk.

Alex Cruz, who has been highly successful in relief this season, was inserted in the top of the fifth inning. After a quick three outs, the Turks were prepared to break out of their 2-0 deficit. Right fielder Ryan Brown singled up the middle, and third baseman Thomas Smith followed suit. All-star Ryan Lee– who seemed to consistently find himself at the plate with runners on first and second– laid down a sacrifice bunt that advanced both Smith and Brown.

From that point, the flood gates were prepped to open.

Newcomer Keaton Neeb singled to bring Brown in, and Smith stole home on a wild pitch. Left fielder David Perkins doubled into the right field corner, scoring Neeb. Eventually, second baseman Mark Lumpa would bring Perkins in to make it 4-2.

The Turks would tack on their final run one inning later, when a dropped infield pop-up allowed shortstop RJ Perucki to score.

Cruz struck out seven and pitched the final five innings of baseball in shutout fashion. He earned the win in relief after Harrisonburg’s offensive explosion.

Brown finished 3 of 3.

Ben Krusen took the loss for the visiting Generals. Krusen was pulled in the fifth after allowing all four Harrisonburg runs, three of which were earned.