Jack Fitzpatrick
Web Cast Intern

CHARLOTTESVILLE– In a game where the first pitch was pushed up to 3:00 p.m. because of impending weather the Harrisonburg Turks (18-20) fell just short of beating the Charlottesville TomSox (23-15) and tying the Staunton Braves for fourth in the Southern Division. The game saw a combined 16 hits but not many runs as the Turks lost 4-1.

The game was scoreless through the first two as neither team could put together any strings of hits and couldn’t get things going. However in the third inning the TomSox hung a three-spot on the board and never relinquished the lead.

In the bottom of the third, Charlottesville loaded the bases with three straight hits to get the inning started putting the game’s starter on the mound Luke Scherzer in some hot water. From there the TomSox scored three runs behind timely hitting and some costly errors from the Turks. In the inning the TomSox recorded four of their 10 hits, none of which were for extra bases.

The Turks then showed some life in the top of fourth inning when Austin Embler led things off with a homerun over the right field fence, his third homerun on the season. From there Jack Wilson and Elian Merejo both had singles to back up the run and they painted the corners. However the next three batters were retired and the threat was extinguished.

After that inning the Turks really never found their momentum again failing to score in the final five innings. They were able to hold the TomSox to only four runs which is under their season average of 6.4.

The Turks pitching staff gave the offense their opportunities but Charlottesville’s pitching staff was able to come in and close the door on any type of rally. Coming into the game the Turks had scored a total of 29 runs in their last two games and were batting exceptionally well, but today the TomSox pitching staff allowed just six hits in 33 at-bats and only one run to come across home.

Getting the win for the Tomsox today was Niko Jenkins (1-1) who pitched just one inning of relief but came in at just the right time. The losing pitcher for Harrisonburg was Luke Scherzer (2-3) who pitched five innings allowing eight hits three runs and walked one batter. The Turks also saw Daniel Brandon and Jake Lane take the mound in relief appearances combining for three strikeouts one walk and one earned run.

With the loss the Turks fall back to 1.5 games behind the Braves and the final playoff spot for the South Division. The Turks will look to get back into the win column tomorrow and inch back closer to the four spot when they head up to First Bank Park in Strasburg and face off with the Express (13-21) first pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m.

The Turks have one more away game on Tuesday when they face off with the Braves with a potential playoff spot on the line. The Turks will return home on Wednesday against Charlottesville and will wrap up the regular season versus Covington (23-14) also at home.