(Waldorf, MD., Jul. 19, 2018) – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (5-4) won the series finale against the Somerset Patriots (7-2) 6-5, on an extra-inning walk-off from Angelo Songco.
The offense wasted no time getting started on the night, as Somerset put up a run in the top of the first. Craig Massey singled to lead everything off on the night, moving up to scoring position when Brett Marshall issued a walk to Ramon Flores. Alfredo Rodriguez promptly doubled to bring home Massey, opening the scoring on the night. Marshall recovered to retire the next three batters in order, limiting the damage to just one.
Southern Maryland responded immediately, grabbing the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. Edwin Garcia singled with one out in the inning, before a fielder’s choice allowed both him and Devon Rodriguez to reach safely on the next play. Jon Griffin followed with a ground-rule double, scoring Garcia, before a groundout to shortstop from Angelys Nina brought home Rodriguez to take a 2-1 lead.
The lead didn’t last long, as Somerset responded with another run in the top of the second, Justin Trapp singled to start the inning, moving first-to-third on a single from Mike Fransoso on the next at-bat. A double play ensued from Yovan Gonzalez, but the play allowed Trapp to score from third and even things up at 2-2.
Both pitchers settled down nicely from there, as Marshall and Rick Teasley traded scoreless frames. Neither pitcher allowed a run for three straight innings, taking the tie game to the sixth inning. Teasley, who had retired 14 straight batters coming into the inning, ran in to some problems in the inning giving the lead back to the Southern Maryland.
Garcia once again got it going with a one-out single but was caught stealing on a failed hit-and-run during the next at-bat. Rodriguez kept the inning going with a two-out double, before a walk to Griffin put two on in the inning. Nina launched a three-run homerun after that, his first homerun for Southern Maryland this season, grabbing a 5-2 lead in the game.
The Patriots weren’t done yet though, as they began the fight back in the next inning. Fransoso walked to start the inning, moving up to second on a single from Gonzalez. A fielder’s choice forced Gonzalez out at second but put runners on the corners in the form of Fransoso and Massey. A single from Flores brought home Fransoso, with a double from Alfredo Rodriguez scoring Massey to cut the lead to just one run.
Somerset would keep it going in the next inning, tying up the game with a run in the inning. A groundout started the inning, before a walk was issued to Trapp. The speedy outfielder stole second and third during the next at-bat, putting himself in scoring position with still one out. After a hit-by-pitch put two on, another single from Gonzalez brought home Trapp to even things up at 5-5.
A scoreless ninth sent the game in to extra innings, the sixth extra-inning game for the Blue Crabs this season. Chris Mazza (1-0) worked a scoreless top of the 10th, setting up the offense in the bottom half of the inning. Garcia got it going with a single, before hustling to second on a fielder’s choice from Rodriguez. After an infield fly and strikeout put two out in the inning, Songco came up looking to be the hero. The left-hander came through with a long flyball that got over the right fielder, easily scoring Garcia for the Blue Crabs fifth walk-off win of the season. The 6-5 victory also gave Southern Maryland the win in the series, as they took two of three for the second straight series coming out of the All-Star Break.
The Blue Crabs return to action Friday, July 20th for the series opener in a three-game series against the Lancaster Barnstormers. 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.
About the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
The Blue Crabs play 126 regular season games in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs. The Blue Crabs play at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland with affordable family fun. The franchise will begin its 11th season in April 2018. Please call 301-638-9788 or visit http://www.somdbluecrabs.com for more information.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment.
For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.