Written by Jack Fitzpatrick
Turks Broadcasting Intern

WAYNESBORO– On yet another cool and wet night the Harrisonburg Turks (11-7) dropped a 6-5 heartbreaker to the Waynesboro Generals (8-9). The Turks have now lost two of their last three and the Generals were able to snap their three game losing streak.

The Turks jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead heading to the bottom of the fourth behind a 2-run inning in the second and plating one run in the top of the fourth.

In the second inning both David Craan (Illinois, senior) and Caleb Walls (Pasco-Hernando, senior) were able to score off of an Austin Embler (UNC-Greensboro, senior) single to center. With those two RBIs Embler pushed his season total to a team high 11.

Harrisonburg had things going for them both offensively and defensively early on and took advantage of their opportunities. The Generals played a little sloppy giving up two errors that helped the Turks keep some innings alive. However the Turks were unable to really string the hits together when it mattered most.

The achilles heel for the Turks tonight was runners left on, in total the Turks left 10 on base. Most notably to open up the game they had the bases loaded with just one out and the Generals were able to put away the next two and not allow any damage to be done.

Jake Brace (0-2) and Harrisonburg had everything going for them up until the bottom of the seventh inning. In the bottom of the seventh Brace allowed four runs, capped off by a two-run home run by Andrew Orzel. The four runs allowed in a single inning were the most Brace had ever allowed dating back to high school.

The Generals from there opened up a two-run lead and that was just enough for them to squeak out the win. The Turks scored one in the eighth and had a runner on second base in the top of ninth with two outs but both times the Waynesboro Generals, behind the arms of Tyler Thompson and Patrick O’Shea, were able to shut down any chance the Turks had.

In the end Harrisonburg just couldn’t string together extended rallies and really pull away. The Turks only had one extra base hit all night, and that was a Walls double to lead off the game. The Harrisonburg defense has some big-time plays to help out their pitchers however the Generals found the gaps just enough times that it ended being the difference in the end.

Thompson (1-0) of the Generals came away with the win and Brace was credited with the loss (0-2). O’Shea was credited with the save as he pitched the top of the ninth inning only allowing one hit and forcing two flyouts and one strikeout.

The Turks will take on the New Market Rebels (9-9) at Veterans Memorial Park with first pitch slated for 7:30 p.m. The projected starter for the Turks is Luke Scherzer (2-0). The Turks look to move to 2-0 on the season series with the Rebels.

Tomorrow is also DuPont Community Credit Union Pack the Park Night, so pick up your tickets at your local Harrisonburg DCCU branch and come out to Veterans Memorial Park. It is also United Way night, so if you come with your United way invitation or T-shirt you will get free admission.