Deacons Help Harrisonburg Whip Waynesboro, 13-2
Written By Peter Byrd
Special Correspondent
Daily News Record
HARRISONBURG — This was an offensive explosion that many Turks believe was overdue. Harrisonburg pounded out 13 runs on 14 hits in dismantling the Waynesboro Generals 13-2 Wednesday night Veterans Memorial Park.
The Valley Baseball League game was lopsided thanks to a pair of Demon Deacons.
Designated hitter Joe Napolitano hit a three-run double in the bottom of the first inning, and fellow Wake Forest player Connor Kaden cruised after a wild start to help the Turks win in a runaway.
The Turks fell behind 1-0 in the first when Kaden walked three batters and allowed a run to score on a wild pitch. He had time to recoup in the dugout as the Turks poured in six runs in the bottom of the frame, which lasted 33 minutes total.
“After that first inning, I kind of needed a little break,” Kaden said. “Those six runs [allowed me] to sit around in the dugout and relax a little bit.”
After a Thomas Smith RBI single to knot the score, Napolitano cleared the loaded bases to put his team up 4-1.
“Two outs, I wanted to make a difference that inning,” Napolitano said. “I was trying to look for a fastball and he was throwing curveballs away. He finally came in a little bit and I just threw my hands and drove it to left center.”
The Turks (25-11 and 1st place in the South Division) added four runs in the second inning and three more in the third to build a 12-1 lead. Kaden — who improved to 5-0 — would not need the extra run support.
The sophomore right-hander from Toms River, N.J. allowed only one run on two hits in six innings while fanning 10 batters.
“I actually impressed myself with how I could locate my fastball in and out,” Kaden said. “I didn’t have a changeup, but I was able to throw my cutter again tonight.”
The Turks’ offensive outpouring was a welcome sight to the home fans; manager Bob Wease just wished his team had generated that type of offense in other recent games.
“I wish I had about seven or eight of those runs last week when we went 2-4 and lost four games by one run,” Wease said.
The Generals, who were playing their second game of the day, were led by sophomore infielder and former Turner Ashby High School star Tyler Bocock, who reached base in all three of his plate appearances and stole two bases.
“We were in a hole before we walked on the field,” Waynesboro manager Mike Bocock said. “We had played a 10-inning game at 12:30 today versus Covington. We were tired. [The Turks] are a good ball club, though. They are in first place. They earned it.”
Waynesboro 100 000 001 — 2 6 2
Harrisonburg 624 001 00x — 13 14 0
Danielson, Thorne (4), Scimanico (7) and Boykin, Mazeika; Kaden, Sightler (7), Boghosian and Clark. W- Kaden (5-0). L- Danielson (0-1)