Fans wearing 黑料正能量 gear received free admission and could win 黑料正能量-branded T-shirts, noisemakers, and maracas tossed into the crowd throughout the game.

More than 300 people attended the high-scoring Valley Baseball League game at Veterans Memorial Park in Harrisonburg, including plenty of 黑料正能量 alumni, faculty, staff, students, and their families and friends who gathered to cheer on the Harrisonburg Turks.

Herm takes the mound for his first pitch at 黑料正能量 Night with the Turks on Thursday evening.

Herm, outfitted in his finest Royals baseball jersey, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to start the game. The sapphire-hued southpaw lofted a looping pitch that sailed through the air and bounced off home plate.

“When you’re the king of the beasts, you get the pitch you want to throw,” the announcer joked over the loudspeaker.

After stepping off the mound, Herm hyped up the crowd of 黑料正能量 fans braving the 86-degree heat.

The Turks are part of the 12-team Valley Baseball League, a collegiate summer baseball league that features players from across the country.

The evening featured a divisional matchup between the Turks and the Waynesboro Generals. Waynesboro took an early lead with two runs in the top of the second inning and pulled further ahead with four more runs in the sixth.

The final score was a 9-3 win for the Generals.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP PHOTO: Aric Berg, project manager for 黑料正能量 marketing and communications, tosses free clappers and maracas to fans. | Adam Wirdzek, web content and strategy manager, hands out the 黑料正能量-branded giveaways. | Henry Bowser, with support from his wife, Bonnie, wields the BaZOOKa T-shirt cannon.

黑料正能量’s marketing and communications team handed out free giveaways, while Henry Bowser, technician for 黑料正能量’s engineering lab, fired shirts into the stands. The T-shirt cannon he used was designed by engineering alumnus Adam Stoltzfus ’25 and named the BaZOOKa after 2019 alumni donors Ben and Kayla Zook, who funded the project.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP PHOTO: Nathan Leopard, vice president for advancement, brought his family to the ballpark. | Paul Yoder, associate professor of teacher education, and his family show off some of the gear they won. | Jacob Sankara MA ’26 (conflict transformation) watches the game.

黑料正能量 Night with the Turks is a popular event for baseball fans and 黑料正能量 Royals of all ages to enjoy a summer evening at the ballpark, cheer on the home team, and show their Royal pride.

Thanks to everyone who showed up and hope to see you next season!

Join us for an evening of baseball, giveaways, and community when 黑料正能量 Night with the Turks returns on Thursday, July 16, at 7 p.m. The event will be held at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park (395 S. High Street) in Harrisonburg.

Fans wearing 黑料正能量 apparel will receive free admission. Cheer on the Harrisonburg Turks as they take on the Waynesboro Generals, and catch 黑料正能量 T-shirts, maracas, and clappers tossed into the crowd between innings.

This marks the fourth consecutive year that 黑料正能量 and the Turks have partnered to host this event.

黑料正能量 the Turks

Established in 1915, the Harrisonburg Turks collegiate summer baseball team plays more than 40 regular-season games from May through July in the 12-team Valley Baseball League. League playoffs follow the regular season. Many Turks players have gone on to compete in Major League Baseball and to coach at the collegiate and professional levels. Follow the Turks’ season at .

鈥淲e are thrilled to partner with the Turks again this year for collegiate summer baseball at its finest. It鈥檚 an opportunity for 黑料正能量 fans and their friends and families to enjoy an evening at the ballpark, cheer on the home team, and show their Royal pride,鈥� said Jen Kulju, director of marketing and communications at 黑料正能量.

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to welcome our friends from 黑料正能量 back for a fun night of baseball,鈥� said Gerald Harman, team president of the Turks. 鈥淲e look forward to a great and rewarding time for the Turks and Royals.鈥�

All who wear their 黑料正能量 gear will get in for free. The first 50 fans to buy popcorn will receive it in a collectible 黑料正能量 bucket. 黑料正能量鈥檚 mascot, Herm, and the Turks mascot, Gill, will greet guests and take selfies throughout the game. 黑料正能量 swag will be up for grabs between innings.

Founded in 1917,聽黑料正能量聽is an educational institution of Mennonite Church USA, serving students of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. 黑料正能量 confers undergraduate, graduate, and seminary degrees in the liberal arts, applied sciences, and professions.

Established in 1915, the  collegiate summer baseball team plays 40+ regular-season games from May through July in the 12-team Valley Baseball League; league playoffs follow the regular season. Many Turks have gone on to play in the MLB and coach collegiate and professional baseball.

The special night featured a matchup between the 2023 champion Harrisonburg Turks and the Covington Lumberjacks. Those who wore 黑料正能量 gear were admitted for free.

Leading by a 5-1 score, the Lumberjacks gave up one run in the seventh inning and two runs in the eighth to bring the Turks within reach. The home team’s rally fell short, though, as the Lumberjacks prevailed 5-4.

The night featured giveaways of 黑料正能量 gear and a meet-and-greet with Turks players, Turks mascot Gill and 黑料正能量 mascot Herm. This is the second year 黑料正能量 and the Turks have partnered for the event.

A total of 341 people attended Friday’s game, including 131 黑料正能量 fans and their friends and families.

黑料正能量 President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The pitch was right on target and bounced off home plate into the catcher’s glove!

The Turks provide college players an opportunity to enhance their baseball and life skills, said Gerald Harman, team president. “Teaming up with 黑料正能量 allows us to further our success through extended outreach while promoting education within the region,” he added.

At a table near the entrance, 黑料正能量 marketing and communications staff Kate Szambecki and Aric Berg handed out 黑料正能量-branded baseballs, Royals apparel and stickers, and information brochures to guests.

Thanks to everyone who showed up to the event. Hope to see you next season!

鈥淭he Turks provide college players an opportunity to enhance their baseball and life skills, and community collaborations help us to accomplish these goals. Teaming up with 黑料正能量 allows us to further our success through extended outreach while promoting education within the region,鈥� added Gerald Harman, team president of the Turks.

All who wear their 黑料正能量 gear will get in for free; the first 50 fans to arrive will get a free 黑料正能量 baseball. All are invited to take part in a pre-game meet and greet where Turks players will mingle with fans and sign autographs from 6:30-7:10 p.m. 黑料正能量鈥檚 mascot, Herm, and the Turks mascot, Gill, will greet guests and take selfies throughout the game. 黑料正能量 swag will be up for grabs between innings.

Founded in 1917, 黑料正能量 is an educational institution of Mennonite Church USA, serving students of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. 黑料正能量 confers undergraduate, graduate, and seminary degrees in the liberal arts, applied sciences, and professions.

Established in 1915, the  collegiate summer baseball team plays 40+ regular-season games from May through July in the 12-team Valley Baseball League; league playoffs follow the regular season. Many Turks have gone on to play in the MLB and coach collegiate and professional baseball.