Nine Run Ninth Push Turks Over Senators 13-3
Written By Adam Cherry
Player/Intern, LaSalle
Aldie- The rain and storm clouds have finally cleared away. The Harrisonburg Turks were ecstatic to be back on the baseball field. The Turks were looking to build upon their three game winning streak as they have defeated the Covington Lumberjacks in a double header and the Woodstock River Bandits. The Turks hot pitching looks to continue as Manager Bob Wease decided to send Ben Parr (Georgia Tech) to the mound. The Senators sent Chad Martin out to the mound.The bats were quiet for both teams until the Senators were able to scratch a run across in the third. Matt Albanese floated a double down the right field line to start off the bottom half of the third. Albanese stole third when the next hitter was at the plate. Garret Vrbanic scored Albanese from third on a line drive base hit to left field.
The Turks tied the game in the sixth inning. Christopher Barr (Miami) started the rally with one out. Barr roped a double down the first baseline. Thomas Smith (Georgia Tech) reached first base after an error from the shortstop. Barr and Smith advanced one base after a wild pitch from Martin. Matt Rose (Georgia State) connected for a double, scoring Barr and Smith. The Turks now lead 2-1.
The Senators struck back in the bottom of the sixth. Derek Evans lined a double into left center field to start the inning with no outs. The next hitter lined a base hit into left putting runner on first and third with no outs. Brandon Gold (Georgia Tech) made a diving play to his backhand, stood up, and threw the ball home to get Evans out. The outstanding diving play from Gold was not enough to stop the Senators from scoring. CJ Brazil worked a one out walk to load the bases. The next batter hit a pop fly to right field to score Joe Giacchino from third to tie the game. At the end of six innings, the game was tied 2-2.
The Senators reached into the bullpen to relieve Martin. The Senators manager brought in Carter Siweck in the seventh inning. Siweck pitched a scoreless seventh inning however; the Turks were able to score in the eighth. Thomas Smith hit a hard ground ball to the shortstop, who fielded the ball and proceeded to throw it into the ground. With Smith on second Matt Rose smashed a home run over the left field fence to break the stalemate at 2.
The Turks went to their bullpen in the eighth inning. Manager Bob Wease brought in Brett Morgan (Wingate). Morgan let two runners on the corners and had two outs before Tremayne Toorie hit one right at the Turks second basemen who could not make the play. The Turks now only had a one run lead at the end of eight, 4-3.
The Turks bats came alive and they extended their lead in the top of the ninth. Brandon Gold hit a base hit to start the inning off the new Senator reliever, Joe Salzano. Joey Roach (Georgia State) was able to beat out a bunt to put runners on first and second. Steven McLean (Baylor) decided he had the same idea as Roach and bunted down the third baseline. Thomas Spitz (Wingate) worked a full count before lacing a line drive up the middle scoring two runs. Spitz was aggressive on the bases and stole second on the first pitch to Barr. Barr then lined a base hit scoring McLean. Thomas Smith continued the hit parade in the inning, hitting a ball into the gap scoring Spitz. Smith was trying to be aggressive and run to second but he was thrown out. Matt Rose was the next hitter and he ripped another ball to center field for a double, scoring Barr. Jesse Baker (UTSA) then poked a two out double down the line scoring Rose. Baker was able to advance to third on a wild pitch. Gold came to bat again in the inning and he hit a ground ball through the hole to score Baker. Joey Roach then hit a big fly ball over the right field fence to bring home Gold.
The Turks brought in Tyler Brown (Wingate) to finish the ninth inning. The final score of the game was 13-3. Ben Parr got the win for the Turks, while Chad Martin took the loss for the Senators.
The Turks will be at home tomorrow hosting Aldie in a make up rain game from Wednesday, June 11th. The game will start at 7:30. Go Turks!