The Turks’ comeback efforts fell just short against the Staunton Braves on Tuesday as the left the bases loaded in the ninth inning in a 9-7 defeat. This was their second loss to the Braves (8-7) in three days following an 8-3 defeat in Staunton on Sunday.

Harrisonburg (8-6) got in front early with center fielder and leadoff hitter Anthony Paskell hitting a triple to left field and shortstop Jose Perez hitting a sacrifice fly to score him. The Turks added three more runs in the third inning with Paskell and Perez each driving in a run. Paskell finished the day with four hits and was just a home run short of the cycle.

“I was just staying level and seeing the ball pretty well,” Paskell said. “I just tried to hit it up the middle every time.”

The Braves roared back in the fourth inning, putting up six runs to take a lead they would keep for the rest of the game. Following two strikeouts from Harrisonburg starting pitcher Chris Zupito, the Turks committed three errors allowing the Braves to reach base and score. None of the six runs were earned. 

“The two errors at shortstop and one at second base killed us,” head coach Bob Wease said. “They wouldn’t have scored that inning, [let alone] get six runs,”

The Braves extended their lead in the seventh inning when left fielder Cameron Cole was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Third baseman Jacob Lester then hit into a fielder’s choice at first base to bring home another run, making the score 9-5 in favor of Staunton.

With two quick outs and a runner on base in the ninth, Harrisonburg made a statement with a 2-run home run to left field from right fielder Ethan Murdoch. It was Murdoch’s first home run and the first hit at Veterans Memorial Park this season. The Turks then drew two consecutive walks and a hit batter to load the bases for Paskell. Despite his successful day at the plate thus far, he flied out to first base to seal the Turks’ fate.

“That’s baseball. You don’t like it, but it happens,” Wease said. “You just [have to] come out here again tomorrow. I still think we have the best team in the Valley League.”

The Turks will try to get back on track tonight when they host the Covington Lumberjacks on Dairy Night. First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m.