(Waldorf, MD., Jul. 5, 2018) – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (26-37) took the series finale against the Somerset Patriots (35-27) 8-5, in the final game of the first half of the season.
Somerset wasted no time getting the scoring started, putting up a pair in the first inning. Justin Pacchioli got things going with a one-out single, stealing second to move himself into scoring position. After a walk to Aaron Dudley put two on, Kyle Roller plated both with a double to give his team an early 2-0 lead.
The Patriots kept the offense rolling in the second, putting up two more in the inning. Paul Clemens struck out the first batter in the inning, before a single and a fielder’s choice put two on for the top of the order. Another fielder’s choice put runners on the corners, with a single from Pacchioli scoring Scott Kelly from third. Jermaine Curtis followed that with a single of his own, scoring Craig Massey to extend the lead to 4-0.
The Blue Crabs began the battle back in the third, putting up three runs in the inning. Angelys Nina got aboard with a single, which was in between a pair of strikeouts from Rick Teasley (3-4). Ryan Strausborger got the two-out rally going with a single, moving Nina around to third. A walk to Edwin Garcia filled the bases, before a double from Teodoro Martinez emptied them, bringing all three runners around to cut the deficit to one run.
After a scoreless fourth inning from both sides, the Patriots added one to their lead in the fifth. Curtis doubled to lead off the inning, which was followed by back-to-back strikeouts. Adam Weisenburger came through for his side with a two-out single, bringing Curtis around from second to take a 5-3 lead.
Southern Maryland answered with one of their own in the bottom half of the inning when Martinez added a fourth RBI to his total by driving in Strausborger. The offense kept it going in the sixth inning, taking their first lead on the night. Devon Rodriguez and Austin Green put up two straight singles with one out in the inning. Craig Maddox added a third straight single, bringing both runners across to grab a 6-5 lead.
The Blue Crabs bullpen came on and shutdown the Patriots offense, retiring six straight batters by way of the strikeout in the seventh and eighth. The offense added two more insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth, when Maddox doubled in Martinez and Cory Vaughn to extend the lead to three runs.
The closer Cody Eppley (S,6) came on for the top of the ninth, looking to shut the door on the game. Eppley got a flyout for the first out, before he issued a walk to Curtis to put the tying run on base for Somerset. He recovered immediately to force a 4-6-3 double play, finishing off the 8-5 win for his team, and ending the first half of the season on a positive note.
The Blue Crabs return to action Friday, July 6th for the opening game in a three-game series against the York Revolution. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. on Friday at Regency Furniture Stadium.
For more information on the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, or to reserve your seat today for any of the Blue Crabs upcoming home games, please visit our website at somdbluecrabs.com or call us at 301-638-9788.