Visiting Express Escape Harrisonburg with Late 8-5 Win

Chase Kiddy | Harrisonburg Turks Staff Writer

 

W: Brock Hunter (1-0)
L: Brett Morgan (0-1)

In the ninth inning of a back and forth game, the Strasburg Express scored four runs on reliever Brett Morgan and ran out of Veterans Memorial Park with a win on Saturday night.

Harrisonburg (1-1) led 5-4 after eight innings, after shortstop Steve McLean’s single to right plated catcher Ben Breazeale from second. The lead wouldn’t hold out though; Strasburg second baseman Bill Motroni dropped a single into shallow center field, and pinch hitter Anthony Payne hit a towering double to right center one batter later that scored Motroni from first to tie the game at 5-5.

Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, designated hitter Joe Camp popped an awkward-falling ball into shallow right field, and second baseman Hunter King couldn’t quite snag it. Camp was thrown out trying to take second, but not before all three runs scored to give Strasburg an 8-5 edge.

Center fielder Thomas Spitz’ bottom-of-the-ninth single wasn’t enough to make up the difference, and the Express improved to 2-0 on the season. Only Covington, Strasburg, and Front Royal remain undefeated after two games.

Brett Morgan takes the loss for Harrisonburg, after allowing five earned runs on five hits and two walks. He notched six strikeouts.

Spitz, King, first baseman Christopher Barr and third baseman Matt Rose all finished with two hits. Left fielder Eric Kalbfleisch finished with 2 more RBIs, giving him a league-best five after two games.

Harrisonburg will return home Tuesday night to play the defending champion Waynesboro Generals. Game time is 7:30pm.

 

 

Chase Kiddy has served as the Harrisonburg Turks’ staff writer since 2012. Contact him at ckiddy09@gmail.com, or yell at him in the press box during home games at Veterans Memorial Park.