CHARLOTTESVILLE Va. – The Charlottesville Tom Sox (7-5) faced off against the Harrisonburg Turks (7-5) for the third time this season, taking a 2-1 lead in the season series with a convincing 7-1 victory Thursday.
It was a slow start for both teams in the first inning, and the action quickly picked up in the second. The ‘Sox were able to keep the Turks off the bases, but that couldn’t be said for the Turks. Wofford teammates Brice Martinez and David Wiley were able to get on base, which allowed Brady Gumpf (Notre Dame) to hit a sac fly, scoring Martinez and putting Charlottesville up 1-0.
However, the Turks struck back quickly. They tied the game at 1-1 in the third after Cameron Harris drove a liner into center field, allowing teammate Aiden Alexander to score off Sergio Rivera’s (Florida Southwestern) error.
Charlottesville’s defensive unit then stood strong in the top of the fourth, allowing no runs.
At this point, the ‘Sox were ready to come out hot. Alex Bouche (Old Dominion) led off with a double, which allowed the offense to brew. Martinez laid down a perfect bunt single down the first base line, advancing him to first and Bouche to third. After a sac bunt from Wiley put both runners in scoring position, Gumpf singled to bring home Bouche for his second RBI in as many plate appearances. Salvy Alvarez (Florida) reached on a bunt single of his own – Charlottesville’s third bunt of the inning – to bring home Martinez. And the marathon fourth was not over yet – Kyle Edwards (Old Dominion) was able to reach on a fielder’s choice and advance on an error, allowing Gumpf to come home and make it a 3-run cushion.
Mike Eggert (Wofford) entered the game in the fifth in relief of Zach Root (East Carolina), who made his first start in a ‘Sox uniform. He was flawless aside from the one run, striking out six and walking none.
Eggert was equally as impressive, tossing three scoreless, 1-hit innings of relief. He struck out two and walked none to keep it at 4-1 entering the bottom of the seventh.
After one batter in the frame, Edwards stepped to the plate, hitting a double to kickstart the offense. The next batter, Rivera drew a walk, and Edwards swiped third, putting runners on the corners with one away. Connor Hincks (Notre Dame) hit an RBI single – his third hit of the night – bringing in Edwards to increase the advantage. To cap off the inning, Bouche reached on the second error of the game by shortstop Jose Perez, allowing Rivera and Hincks to come home.
Facing a 6-run deficit, the Turks were unable to make a comeback as Davian Garcia (Pasco-Hernando CC) held them scoreless in the final two innings. The ‘Sox secured their second home win of the season and recorded their second-straight win overall.
The Tom Sox will be back in action tomorrow against Covington at CHO Airport Field at 7 P.M.
Additional Notes
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Charlottesville has now won 16 of the last 17 home games against Harrisonburg.
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The ‘Sox went 4-for-11 with a runner in scoring position, the most since they defeated Harrisonburg on the road a week ago. They have at least four hits with RISP in all but one of their wins, while recording three or fewer in all five losses.
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Charlottesville’s 6-run win is their largest at home since defeating the Turks 15-4 in game one of a doubleheader last July.
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‘Sox pitchers allowed only ten Turks to reach base on the night. Perez, who had two hits and four RBI in their first meeting in Charlottesville, was held to an 0-for-3 night.
