Lights Out Lee Propels Turks to Fourth Consecutive Win

Turks News / By /

Written By Jackson Campbell
Broadcast Intern

STAUNTON, VA – Wednesday night at a packed Gypsy Hill Park marked the third time the Turks and the Braves have already faced each other this summer, and it’s starting to get heated.

Jake Lee - GA Tech 2016Jake Lee (Georgia Tech) got the start for Harrisonburg and moved to 2-0 following his three hit, one run gem. The Braves contingent was loud to start the game, and loud to end it, but Lee shut off the noise in between. Staunton was kept off the board until the fourth inning when right fielder Andy Szamski (Concord) smacked Lee’s first offering into the Turks outfield, plating shortstop Irving Lopez (Florida International).

 

2016 Tripp SheltonBesides the Szamski double, and a two-RBI double by Tripp Shelton in the top of the third, all of the action in Staunton was found from the eighth inning onward.

The top of the eighth saw Jordan Silverman (Rider) replace Braves starter Sam Vincenzo (7 IP, 2 Hits, 2 ER), and Silverman got Jason Serchay and Ryne Sigmon out to start things off. Will Jackson (Middle Tennessee State) then came in to face Tripp Shelton whom he hit, and followed that up with a walk of Bryan Arias.

For a third time in the same inning, the Braves brought in a new pitcher. Parker Johnson (Wake Forest) came in to face his Demon Deacon teammate John Pryor with runners on first and third. The Turks on base took aggressive leads, and Johnson ultimately balked with the pressure mounting, and Shelton scored to make it 3-1.

Christian Bourne JMUDonnie Sellers - Wake Forest 2016The bottom of the eighth and top of the ninth were uneventful, with Christian Bourne able to keep the Braves from rallying. Donnie Sellers came on to close the ninth. Andy Szamski singled, third baseman Keegan Marenpot walked, and a wild pitch to Connor Crile cut the lead to 3-2.

Crile then walked, putting the winning run aboard. A 3-2 count to catcher Peyton Maddox had Harrisonburg in trouble but Sellers got the strikeout to hold on for a fourth straight victory, and two out of three against Staunton.

Corey Childress will take the hill on the road against the Woodstock River Bandits (5-11) Thursday night at Central High School. Game time is 8:00 p.m.