The Turks kept their momentum rolling on Tuesday with a hard-fought 5-4 win over the Staunton Braves in 12 innings. After starting the season 1-4, Harrisonburg has now won three games in a row and gotten itself back to a .500 record (4-4).

“The mood [in the dugout] is good,” head coach Bob Wease said. “I told you when we lost those three games that we’ll turn it up and be right there in the end.”

Back to back doubles in the second inning from Staunton left fielder AJ Wenrich and center fielder Keilon Parnell put two runs on the board for the Braves. 

The Turks countered in the third inning with two runs of their own. Center fielder Jacob Green scored on a sacrifice fly from left fielder Chris Katz, and second baseman Cam Harris crossed the plate on a single to center field from first baseman Luke Hatcher.

The Turks pitching staff put on a masterful performance, striking out 22 Staunton batters in total. Starting pitcher Chris Zupito led the way, pitching four innings, allowing two runs and picking up six strikeouts. Spencer Biggerstaff threw the final two innings allowing no runs and striking out four batters to seal the win. 

“We all just buy into each other,” Biggerstaff said. “We really cheer each other on, and the support goes throughout [the staff].”

With the game tied at 3 going into extra innings, both teams had to contend with the International Tie Breaker rules, which place a runner on second at the beginning of each inning. Braves second baseman Tim Dickinson scored on a wild pitch in the 10th inning, but the Turks responded when first baseman Jackson Harris singled to center field, scoring Jalen Evans from second. After a scoreless eleventh inning, Turks second baseman Cam Harris walked the game off by stealing home on a wild pitch. 

“The Turks are hot right now,” Cam Harris said. “The bats are hot, we’re playing defense, and just playing some good baseball.”

The Turks return to Veterans Memorial Park this evening when they host the Charlottesville TomSox at 7:30 p.m.