The Turks (7-4) hung on to a shrinking lead over the Culpeper Cavaliers (2-9) on Saturday to earn their seventh straight victory. The Turks have not lost since a 5-4 defeat to the Covington Lumberjacks on June 6th.

“The message from the team to me is that they’re in the game and they want to win,” head coach Bob Wease said. “

Starting pitcher Payton Waters made his first appearance for the Turks, throwing five innings, allowing one run and striking out six batters. 

“I was really just living off the slider,” Waters said. “It was landing for strike. My fastball played well too.”

The Turks got their scoring in two large chunks, scoring four runs in the first inning and three in the fourth inning. Centefielder Jacob Green, designated hitter Luke Hatcher, second baseman Cam Harris, first baseman Jack Cannizzaro and catcher Matt Delgado each collected two hits. Coach Wease lauded the energy his team has brought during their win streak.

“They’re in the game every [time],” Wease said. “They’re over there in the dugout chirping, and that’s a good thing.”

The Turks’ aggressive baserunning rushed the Culpeper fielders and led to multiple errors. Chris Katz scored in the first inning when a ball got past Cavaliers left fielder Gabriel Larry. Culpeper then committed three errors on one play in the fourth inning. Green stole second base, but was able to come all the way home thanks to two errant throws from the catcher and second baseman. Delgado, who began the play on third base, scored easily with the defense’s attention elsewhere.

“It ended up being the difference in the game,” Wease said.

The Turks will head back on the road tonight to face the Staunton Braves and attempt to keep their league-leading winning streak alive. First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m.