Generals Take Down Turks In Rain-Shortened Game
Friday night in Harrisonburg, the Generals scored at least one run in 6 out of 8 innings. The game got a later start than normal due to rainy conditions. When the rain set in for good in the bottom of the 8th inning, the game was called in favor of the Generals.
The Generals scored in the first frame on an RBI triple by Tyler Bielamowicz (Houston) to start the scoring off at 1-0. In the bottom half however, the Turks put up a three spot on the strength of an RBI double by Zach Little, a wild pitch to bring in another, and then an RBI single by Elian Marejo to get the lead to 3-1 for Harrisonburg.
The score was tied up quickly in the second inning. After a Bruno Teramoto (New Mexico St) stolen base to put runners on second and third, Gabe Montenegro (Southern Miss) delivered a 2-out RBI single to tie the game at 3.
The third inning kept the consecutive innings scored streak alive. Chase Cheek (Duke) led off with a single and then stole second. He was brought in to score on a single by Dalton Wingo (UCF) to take the lead. The Turks then induced a double play to clear the bases with two outs. What seemed to be a harmless single from Andrew Orzel (Wofford) then turned into chaos. With a host of wild pitches and passed balls, Orzel went station-to-station all the way home for another tally to make the score 5-3.
The 4th inning continued to show the relentlessness of the Generals with a leadoff walk to Kyle Wrighte (William & Mary). Two batters later, Wrighte stole second and third base. Wrighte then came around to score on a passed ball by the Turks catcher. The score after 4 innings was 6-3.
The Turks would mount a comeback in the bottom of the 5th inning. They had finally kept Waynesboro off the scoreboard in the top half of the inning and were looking to build off that momentum. The second batter of the inning was hit by a pitch. That was followed by a single to put runners on first and second with only one out. Zach Little, the Turk that delivered on an RBI double in the first inning, came through again with an RBI single this time. He advanced to second on the throw to the plate. Two consecutive passed balls allowed the Turks to score again in the inning to tighten the score up at 6-5 with the Generals still leading.
The 6th inning is where the Gens would start to distance themselves. Kyle Wrighte would work himself on with a hit-by-pitch and a steal of second base yet again. Tyler Bielamowicz continued to have a good day at the plate by singling and putting runners on second and third after Wrighte drew a throw to the plate that Bielo moved up on. Chase Cheek delivered one of his 4 hits on the night to bring in Wrighte and Bielo. Dalton Wingo followed that up with another single to continue to threaten the Turks with only one away in the inning. After a pitching change, Wingo and Cheek executed a double steal to get into scoring position. With the infield in at this point, the Turks got a ground out that Cheek had to hold for. Andrew Orzel got himself on base again with a HBP to load the bases. Jackson Webb (UCF) worked a bases loaded walk for an RBI and Bruno Teramoto was hit by another pitch to officially bat around in the inning. The Generals struck for 4 runs, all told, to get their lead to 10-5.
They weren’t quite finished scoring yet, however, as they scored 2 more in the 7th. Alex Webb (Chipola) diminished the hopes of the Turks this time with a 2 RBI single. The score after 7 ended up being the final at 12-5. The General bats finally exploded for 14 hits and 12 runs in the ball game.
Key Performers for Harrisonburg:
- Caleb Walls: 2-4, 2 R
- Zach Little: 2-4, 2B, RBI, R
Key Performers for Waynesboro:
- Gabe Montenegro (Southern Miss): 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI
- Tyler Bielamowicz (Houston): 2-5, 3B, RBI, 2 R
- Chase Cheek (Duke): 4-5, 2 RBI, 2 SB, 3 R
- Kyle Wrighte (William & Mary): 2 R, 3 SB
The Generals will be back in action Saturday night when they take on the Staunton Braves at Kate Collins field.
