Written by Shelton Moss
2021 Turks Webcast Announcer

Baseball fans it’s that time … get ready to meet your 2021 Harrisonburg Turks. We begin today introducing three teammates from hometown James Madison University.

Liam McConnell will be playing in a very familiar setting this summer, as he is currently a senior at James Madison right here in Harrisonburg. After seeing very limited action in his first two years with the Dukes, McDonnell made three appearances in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, pitching 8.2 innings while striking out 10 batters and earning a 5.19 ERA. The 6’0 lefthander saw his best performance of the year in a February game against VMI, earning the start on the mound and striking out seven hitters in 4.2 innings of work. He is returning to the Turks after pitching for them in the summer of 2019, making six appearances with two starts with a 4.09 ERA in 22 IP.

Bryce Safferwich is in his freshman season with the James Madison Dukes. A product of Mills Godwin High School in Richmond, Virginia, the 5’11 infielder was rated a Top 500 player in the country according to Perfect Game, and the 14th best infielder in the state of Virginia. He plays both shortstop and second base. Safferwich plans to major in Sports and Rec Management at JMU.

 

 

Conor Hartigan is a redshirt junior at James Madison. Hartigan overcame injuries during his first two years and started all 16 games for the Dukes a season ago, hitting .236, collecting nine RBI, and helping his team to a 10-6 start including a win over Big Ten power Maryland. Born in Winchester, Virginia, the 6’2 right fielder had a standout career at Millbrook HS, earning First Team All-State selections in 2014 and 2017, while also being named First Team All-Conference in football during the 2017 season. Along with Turks teammates Liam McDonnell and Bruce Safferwich, he won’t be playing far from his stomping grounds.

We welcome these three JMU Dukes and look forward to an awesome summer of Turks baseball with them. Stay tuned for more introductions.