Turks Top Braves

Daily News Record

STAUNTON – Left fielder Eric Kalbfleisch went 3-for-5 overall, and second baseman Thomas Smith hit a two-run triple during a key rally in the fifth inning as Harrisonburg defeated Staunton 9-6 in a Valley League baseball game Thursday night.

The Turks improved to 26-11; the Braves fell to 22-14.

Garrett Ford earned the win after six innings of work, allowing three runs (none earned) on seven hits with five strikeouts and no walks.

Nine of the 10 Harrisonburg batters had at least one hit, including a three-run home run by pinch-hitter John Welborn in the sixth inning. The Turks tacked on an unearned run in the same inning to lead 9-3.

Left fielder Kurt Wertz Jr. went 2-for-4 with three RBIs to lead Staunton. Shortstop Tommy Williams drove in two runs while going 2-for-5 for the Braves, who scored three runs off reliever Jared Graziano before Brett Morgan and Taylor Nichols combined to pitch three scoreless innings for Harrisonburg.

Harrisonburg        010 044 000 – 9 12 2
Staunton                000 120 300 –  6  9 2

Ford, Graziano (7), Morgan (7), Nichols (9) and Roach; Povse, White (5), DeMasi (6), Beck (8), Mawson (9) and Adkins. W—Ford (2-2). L—Povse (2-2). S—Nichols (1). HR—H: Welborn (1).