Written by Rodrigo Aviles
Turks Broadcast Intern
Purcellville, Va. – The red-hot Harrisonburg Turks are defeated at the hands of the Purcellville Cannons 12-7 ending their six-game winning streak.
The Cannons scored in the first inning when lead-off hitter, Max Crabbe blasted a home run over left field.
The Turks came back with a run of their own to tie the game in the second inning. Immanuel Wilder hit a double towards right field and Aaron Levy scored for the Turks.
In the top of the third inning, the Turks scored to take the lead. Josh Madole hit a single to bat in Zack Budzik putting the Turks up 2-1.
The Cannons came back quickly in the bottom of the third and took the lead back at 5-2. With the bases loaded, Brad Riopelle was walked and Max Crabbe scored for the Cannons. Walt Richardson then hit a sacrifice fly out to left field and Andrew Kasiski scored. Jose Aquino and Brad Riopelle scored after Jarrett Pico got a double.
In the fourth inning, the Turks were able to score one more run. McCann Mellett advanced Harry Brown with a double making the score 5-3.
In the bottom of the fourth, Rafe Schindler subbed in for starting pitcher Eli Ellington. Ellington pitched three innings, giving up two hits, five runs, one earned run, four walks with three strikeouts. He ended with a 1.13 ERA.
The Turks had a big sixth inning scoring four runs to take a 7-5 lead. RJ Schreck scored after Zach Budzik was walked in a bases loaded situation. Josh Madole was then walked and Immanuel Wilder crossed home plate. Jed Bryant hit a double to bat in McCann Mellett and Zack Budzik.
The Cannons responded swiftly in the bottom of the sixth. Nick Di Vietro hit a double allowing Walt Richardson and Jarrett Pico to score. Morgan Hyde hit a single down the right foul line and Clayton Baine and Nick Di Vietro crossed the plate. Max Crabbe then hit an RBI single and Morgan Hyde scored for the Cannons. The Cannons scored five runs off four hits and took the lead at 10-7.
In the sixth inning, Brandon Stephens replaced Rafe Schindler for the Turks. Schindler received the loss on the night pitching for a 6.00 ERA. He threw for one hit, four earned runs, three walks and three strikeouts in two innings pitched.
The Cannons expanded on their lead in the bottom of the seventh. Jarrett Pico and Nick Di Vietro scored again of another Max Crabbe single.
Jacob Edwards then came in for Brandon Stephens in the seventh. Stephens pitched in one and two-thirds inning and gave up five hits, three earned runs, one walk and three strikeouts. Stephens threw for a 9.00 ERA.
Edwards finished the game for the Turks pitching in one and one-third inning throwing only one strikeout.
In the top of the ninth, Travis Reifsnider struck out swinging and the Turks lost the game 12-7.
The Turks (10-9) will travel to Woodstock to play the River Bandits (10-10) at Central High School at 7 p.m.