'Sox Drop Close Decision to Turks

By: Matt Becker

HARRISONBURG, Va. - The Tom Sox travel to Harrisonburg in a massive game with postseason implications all over it. With the Tom Sox finally reaching .500, it was imperative for the team to add to that win percentage.

Tonight’s matchup would be a duel of two amazing pitchers with both sub-2.50 earned-run averages. Evan Alwine would go head-to-head with the former Tom Sox arm Lane Duff as both pitchers aim to be dominant.

In the first inning, both pitchers set down the lineups in order, with Duff throwing two strikeouts and Alwine getting three outs via the ground ball.

In the top of the second, Aiden Harris (VCU) remained hot as he ripped a single. Following the single, Tommy Landsnes walked to put runners at first and second with nobody out. After Landsnes got caught in a rundown after an attempted steal, Harris stole home to make it 1-0.

In the bottom of the second, Alwine forced four ground balls, one for a base hit and the other three for putouts.

A lightning delay struck before the first pitch of the fourth inning, delaying the game approximately 50 minutes before resuming in the top of the fourth.

Douglas King entered the mound to take over for Duff and Caiden Combs (Auburn) singled on the second pitch he threw. Combs took off for second moments later and slid in safely. The ‘Sox could not bring Combs home and stranded him at third.

After a two-out error in the bottom of the fourth that advanced the runner to second, Jaxon Walker smacked a single to right field to score the tying run.

In the top of the fifth, Sam Summerlin and Albert Maldonado Jr (Rutgers) hit back-to-back singles with one out, but the ‘Sox hit into an inning-ending double play to retire the side.

Following a double in the bottom of the fifth, Alwine was able to strand the runner at second with a strikeout, groundout and flyout.

After allowing a bunt single with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Parker McCray (Allegheny) entered the game. With the runner at first getting picked off on an amazing throw from Summerlin, it finalized Alwine's final line at five and two-thirds innings pitched, five hits, one run, no earned runs, no walks and four strikeouts.

With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, the Turks took the lead on a single to left field.

The Tom Sox would fail to get a run with the six remaining outs and fell 2-1 to the Turks. The ‘Sox still control its own destiny with five games remaining. Despite the loss, the ‘Sox won the head-to-head series against the Turks and hold the tiebreaker if needed.

UP NEXT: The Tom Sox return home to make up the postponed game from Friday against Covington. It’s a huge game for the Tom Sox as the team is seeking a postseason berth but have to take care of business before the rest of the South Division creeps up on them.