The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) – Fireworks came early to Casey Field on Friday night — and not the kind you shoot in the sky. In a high-octane, back-and-forth slugfest against the Southern Division-leading Harrisonburg Turks, the Covington Lumberjacks showed up, showed out, and put the league on notice, despite falling just short in a 10-9 thriller that had fans in suspense until the final out. This wasn’t just another Valley League game — this was a showdown. A measuring stick. And the Jacks didn’t flinch.
From the jump, it was clear Covington came ready to make a statement. After falling behind 1-0 in the third, the Jacks erupted for four runs in the bottom half of the inning — sparked by a laser-shot double from Jendy Gonzalez, who would go on to have a career night. Gonzalez finished 4-for-5 with a home run, a double, and three RBIs, spraying the ball to every corner of the ballpark. Just one inning later, it was Opie who blew the roof off. The Covington left fielder crushed a solo home run in the fourth — and then followed it up with a second blast in the sixth. Opie went 2-for-3 with two home runs, three RBIs, and two runs scored, delivering an absolute masterclass in power hitting.
Covington wasn’t done. Justin Allen quietly had a huge night of his own, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Chris Fox, setting the tone at the top of the order, reached base three times and scored twice, consistently putting pressure on Harrisonburg’s pitchers. Through five innings, the Jacks led 8-3 and had the Turks on the ropes. The crowd was buzzing. The dugout was alive. Casey Field was rocking. But Harrisonburg didn’t get to the top of the division by folding under pressure. In the sixth, the Turks launched a furious comeback, plating six runs off the Covington bullpen. Suddenly, the Jacks found themselves trailing for the first time of the night.
Trevor Murray knocked in a clutch RBI single in the eighth to make it 10-9, and in the bottom of the ninth, the Jacks brought the tying run to the plate with the middle of the order looming. Fans were on their feet. The energy was electric. One swing could’ve turned the night on its head. But this time, the big moment just slipped away. Against the best team in the Southern Division, Covington went punch for punch for nine innings. They racked up 12 hits, launched three home runs, and left everything on the field. Kejuan Burnett gave the Jacks five solid innings on the mound, and despite the bullpen giving up key runs, it’s clear this team is one or two big moments away from something special.
The Jacks now sit at 6-7, hungry to bounce back — and they won’t have to wait long.
Saturday, 7 p.m. – Covington travels to face the Waynesboro Generals
Sunday, 4 p.m. – The Jacks return home for another showdown, this time against the Woodstock River Bandits
