Monday Madness: Turks are VBL’s Hottest Team
7 games. Two rainouts. Five wins. Zero losses.
That’s the Turks’ last week. What have you done?
There’s no doubt that Harrisonburg is the Valley League’s hottest team, and a quick peek at the Turks’ pitching numbers tells you all you need to know. The entire staff as a whole has piled up a miniscule 1.34 ERA over the past seven days; only three pitchers in the rotation have allowed any earned runs at all.
Auburn product Justin Camp has emerged as the ace of the club. Camp has started four games, piling up a sparkling 3-0 record so far. During Saturday’s win in Woodstock, he allowed one earned run through eight full innings, giving him a 1.13 ERA for the week; for the season, Camp’s numbers are only slightly higher, holding steady with a 1.45 ERA.
In five total appearances, Camp has struck out 31 batters and walked only 9. He is second in the league in strikeouts, trailing only Front Royal’s Jordan DeLorenzo, who has 35 K’s.
Fans who paid attention last year may remember another Auburn pitcher dominating from the mound. Fellow Tiger Dillon Ortman, who played a huge part in last year’s VBL championship run and was the only league pitcher to earn seven wins, will be rejoining the Turks soon.
Another staple from last year’s championship team, Chris Pike, is already back in Harrisonburg. Pike has already closed out two games, earning a 2-0 record and a 0.00 ERA.
The Turks had to play through some weird trends to keep the streak alive. On Saturday, every home team lost, despite the Turks visiting Woodstock, who at the time led the league with a 10-2 record. (The Turks won 6-3.)
One day earlier, the same thing nearly happened again. Each visiting team escaped its host’s park with a win, except Harrisonburg, which overcame Winchester in 11 innings.
At the plate, the Turks have benefitted from many bats coming up big. Thomas Spitz walked off last weekend and is tied for second in the VBL with 11 stolen bases, but it’s outfielder Eric Kalbfleisch and infielders Andy Perez and RJ Perucki who have formed this team’s hitting core. The trio have combined to bat 20 of 54 (.370) over the last seven days. Kalbfleisch is batting .357 on the season, good for a top ten ranking in the league.
Kalbfleisch since last Monday: 7 of 20 (.350), 2 doubles, 2 RBI
Perez since last Monday: 6 of 16 (.375), two doubles, 1 RBI, 3 stolen bases, .524 OBP
Additionally, Perez is one of only two VBL players with 2+ triples.
And finally…
Player of the Week:
Perucki since last Monday: 7 of 18 (.389), 2 stolen bases, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 4R, .611 SLG. Your player of the week.
Upcoming Games:
Tuesday, June 25- Charles Town at Harrisonburg
Thursday, June 27- New Market at Harrisonburg
Friday, June 28- Harrisonburg at Rockbridge
Saturday, June 29- Waynesboro at Harrisonburg
Sunday, June 30- Staunton at Harrisonburg