Written By Jen Kulju
Turks Staff Writer
HARRISONBURG – The New Market Rebels outpitched, outhit and outscored the Harrisonburg Turks in a game that was delayed 50 minutes in the bottom of the third inning due to the threat of lightning. Daniel Sweeney pitched six scoreless innings for the Rebels, allowing three hits and striking out nine. The Rebels racked up 12 hits on the evening compared to five for the Turks to take the game 4-0.
The Rebels scored two runs on three hits in the second. With one out, Adan Fernandez singled to right center field. Carter Smith followed by ripping the ball to right for a hit. Christopher DeGuzman then doubled down the left field line, scoring Fernandez and Smith.
The Rebels added two insurance runs in the ninth. Pinch-hitting for Oraj Anu, Brant Blaylock had an infield hit and stole second. Justin King hit a ground rule double, scoring Blaylock. Carter Smith then singled to right, scoring King.
The Turks came close to scoring in the sixth when Zach Little (Wingate) reached first on a throwing error by shortstop Kobe Lopez. Up next was Luke Nussman (Shenandoah University) who hit the ball up the middle. Second baseman DeGuzman made a diving stop behind the bag, and while his throw was too late to get Nussman at first, Jason Hinchman (1B) threw Little out at home on a nice tag play.
Austin Embler (UNC Greensboro), Little, Nussman, Elian Merejo (Georgia State) and Paul Castillo (Jacksonville University) each had one hit each for the Turks. However, Harrisonburg was unable to capitalize on these hits due to the Rebels’ dominating pitching—and left runners on base in the first, third, seventh and eighth innings.
Jared Shemper pitched the seventh and eighth innings for New Market and had four strikeouts. Trevin Eubanks finished the Turks off in the bottom of the ninth with three strikeouts.
Luke Scherzer (Virginia Tech) started the game for the Turks and gave up two runs on four hits in three innings pitched. Daniel Brandon (Longwood), Alex Rodriguez (Wingate) and Josh Karklin (Wingate) also saw time on the mound for Harrisonburg. Scherzer got the loss and Sweeney got the win.
The Turks are now 11-8 and play their next game on Thursday in Strasburg at 7 pm. They are back at home on Saturday for a game against Charlottesville at 7:30 pm.