(High Point, NC, October 3, 2021) Despite out-hitting the Rockers 14-10, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs fell 9-7 Sunday evening to the High Point Rockers in the franchise’s final road regular-season matchup. Joe DeLuca did all he could to make it a successful day for his squad, blasting a two-run homer in the catcher’s 4-5 day. Jordan Howard had a notable day as well, going 2-5 with a two-run homer. Crabs relief pitcher Patrick Baker picked up the loss (L, 3-3), with Joe Johnson (W, 4-0) securing his fourth win on the year.
Back and forth it went from the jump. After a first-inning RBI double from Michael Martinez in the first inning, Southern Maryland took their first lead of the contest in the second. A Tucker Nathans solo home run and a Howard RBI sacrifice fly saw a 2-1 scoreboard.
That was quickly wiped away, thanks to a four-run third inning for High Point. Doubles by Quincy Nieporte and James McOwen were responsible for a prominent 5-2 deficit. Blue Crabs would do their best in impersonating the bottom of the third in their next at-bats, putting up four runs themselves to take their lead back at 6-5. Both DeLuca and Howard answered the bell again, this time with two-run blasts.
The Rockers offense would have the last laugh though, with a three-run bottom fourth. Jerry Downs scored two on a double and was later hit in on a Jared Mitchell double. Not even halfway through the game and the Rockers led an 8-6 shootout.
The sticks cooled down the rest of the way, with both sides knocking in one more run apiece. Zach Collier doubled in Rubi Silva in the sixth and Quincy Latimore plated home Michael Russell on a sacrifice fly. High Point ran away with the 9-7 win, and the series victory.
Seven games remain on the schedule for the Crabs, with all seven being played a Regency Furniture Stadium. Game one begins Tuesday, which will start another three-game set against High Point.