Written by Brien Krug
Turks Staff Writer
July 2, 2021

The Turks were entering the day on a little scuffle losing their last two games to 1st place Charlottesville. But Harrisonburg looked to bounce back as they hosted the Covington Lumberjacks.

With Andres Rodriguez (1-1, 2.07 ERA) making his 3rd start of the season for the Turks, the Lumberjacks would get the scoring started early. A one-out walk followed by a stolen base had the Jacks in business with a runner in scoring position. A seeing-eye single up the middle from Jacks DH Christian Hall would plate the runner.

Harrisonburg would respond right back though. Back-to-back singles from Carlos Marte and Clay Lockett followed by a wild pitch would put runners at 2nd and 3rd for Michael Rosario. Rosario, who is coming off a 5-5 day on Wednesday, would make a productive out grounding out to 2nd but bringing in Marte from 3rd. McNeely would follow up with a sac fly of his own and the Turks would take the 2-1 lead.

Harrisonburg would strike again in the 2nd. Back to back doubles to start the inning from Connor Hartigan and Derek Crum would give the Turks the 3-1 lead but they would fail to add on more stranding Crum at 2nd. Following the tough 1st inning Rodriguez would settle into the game. Over the next 4 innings, Andres would only allow 1 base runner, setting down the Jacks hitters in order. Rodriguez would get some more run support in the 5th.

A leadoff single followed by a double had the Turks threatening with runners at 2nd and 3rd with no one down. Rosario would then step up and knock a single to center, scoring Marte from 3rd, his 2nd run of the game. McNeely would then collect his 2nd RBI of the day and 7th of the season with a 6-4 fielder’s choice and the Turks extended their lead to 4 at 5-1.

However, Covington wasn’t done quite yet. With two outs and a runner 2nd in the 6th, Covington center fielder Trendon Craig would knock a triple to left-center cutting the Turks lead to 5-2. However, the Turks would hit the final nail in the coffin of the Lumberjacks in the home half of the 6th. A 2 out clutch single from Clay Lockett would bring home Michael Dansky and the Turks extended their lead back to 4. Covington would add a run in the 7th with a solo homer but would be shut out by Garrett Simpson and Nick Borek to close the game.

Turks break their two-game skid with a 6-3 win. Harrisonburg (11-10) will be back in action today as they travel North to Winchester to play the Winchester Royals (6-16) in an interdivisional doubleheader starting at 5:00 PM.