Turks Win 5th Straight Over Generals

After the Gens jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, it was all Harrisonburg for the final 8 innings of the ball game.

The Generals came out swinging in the top of the first. Kobe Lopez (Florida International) led the game off with a double down the right field line. After Seth Cannady (Florida International) was hit by a pitch, Wes Clarke (South Carolina) hit a double that looked extremely similar to Lopez’s double. That scored Kobe and put runners at second and third with just one out. The Generals wouldn’t be able to scratch another run across in the inning. Little did they know, they would struggle to get a chance as good as that one for the rest of the game.

The Turks evened the score in the 4th after starter Zach Kirby (East Tennessee State) lost the feel for the strike zone for just a moment. A single and a walk put runners at first and second. A couple of wild pitches moved runners around the base paths and helped one score. Kirby did a nice job at limiting the Turks to just one run, and the score remained tied after four innings.

The Turks would threaten again in the fifth when they got runners to second and third with nobody out in the inning. A couple of strikeouts and a runner cut down at the plate on a ball that got away from the catcher allowed Kirby to get out of the inning unscathed. The righty from ETSU went five strong innings to give his team a good chance to win the game.

The Turks ultimately pulled ahead in the bottom of the seventh inning with two runs. A double got things started for the Turks offense. A single brought the runner around third with a play at the plate available. The throw from the centerfielder was a bit wild and got away from the catcher which allowed the runner to get all the way to third base without a throw. The next batter did his job with a sacrifice fly to right to move the score to 3-1 in favor of the Turks.

The starter for the Turks, Jacob Ferris went 7.2 innings of solid work. He struck out nine Gens while only allowing the first inning run. His performance, along with his first start earlier in the week, was enough for Ferris to grab VBL Player of the Week honors.

Key Performers for Harrisonburg:

Jacob Ferris: W (3-0), 7.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K

Brandon Stephens: SV (1), 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

McCann Mellett: 2-3, RBI

Josh Madole: 2-4, R

Nick Zona: 2-3, RBI

Immanuel Wilder: 1-3, 2B, R

Key Performers for Waynesboro:

Zach Kirby (East Tennessee State): 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K

Connor Norby (East Carolina): 2-3

Wes Clarke (South Carolina): 1-3, 2B, RBI

Santiago Garcia (Alabama State): 2-4, 2B

The Generals (9-7) will be back on the road Sunday night vs the Front Royal Cardinals at Bing Crosby Stadium. First pitch is set for 7 pm.