Waldorf, MD, April 26, 2025 — The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs opened the 2025 Atlantic League season with a 6-4 loss to the High Point Rockers on Friday night at Regency Furniture Stadium, despite a third-inning rally that briefly gave them the lead. A strong bullpen performance by the Rockers and timely hitting, including two home runs, handed the Blue Crabs their first defeat in front of the home crowd.
The game started with Southern Maryland’s starting pitcher Shawn Semple striking out High Point’s leadoff hitter Cody Wilson. However, a walk to Luis Gonzalez and a two-run homer to right by Evan Edwards put the Rockers up 2-0. High Point’s designated hitter Max Viera, in his professional debut, singled to left, advanced to third on a Drew Mendoza single, and scored on a D.J. Burt single, making it 3-0 in the first.
The Blue Crabs fought back in the third against High Point starter Kyle Barraclough, who had allowed just one hit through two innings. Southern Maryland loaded the bases with a single, two walks, and two hit batters. Two additional walks forced in runs, and Sam Dexter’s sacrifice fly drove in another, giving the Blue Crabs a 4-3 lead. “Two more walks each forced in a run before Sam Dexter lifted a sac fly to give SMD a 4-3 lead,” according to game notes.
High Point tied the game in the fifth when Ben Aklinski led off with a solo homer to left off reliever Jalen Miller. Miller then walked Evan Edwards and hit Viera, and Mendoza’s bloop single to right loaded the bases. Rookie catcher Isaiah Mirabal drew a walk to force in Edwards, giving the Rockers a 5-4 edge. In the eighth, Viera hit a leadoff homer to left off Blue Crabs reliever Rafi Vasquez, extending High Point’s lead to 6-4.
The Blue Crabs’ offense stalled after the third, managing only four hits total. High Point’s bullpen, led by Jacob Edwards (1-0), shut them down. Edwards pitched four scoreless innings, allowing one hit. Former MLB reliever Tommy Doyle closed the game, striking out five of seven batters over the final two innings to earn the save, despite allowing one single. The Rockers’ staff struck out 10 Blue Crabs while limiting them to four hits.
Southern Maryland’s pitching struggled with control, issuing multiple walks and hitting batters, which proved costly. Semple, Miller, and Vasquez combined to allow six runs, with Miller’s fifth-inning struggles opening the door for High Point’s go-ahead rally. The Blue Crabs’ four-run third inning showed offensive potential, but they couldn’t capitalize against High Point’s relievers.
The game marked a historic moment for the Rockers, as manager Jamie Keefe started two professional rookies, Viera and Mirabal, on Opening Night for the first time in team history. Viera shone, recording his first professional hit and homer, while Mirabal’s bases-loaded walk proved pivotal. High Point also debuted Tommy Doyle, signed Thursday, who dominated in his Atlantic League appearance.
For the Blue Crabs, the loss highlights areas for improvement as they aim to rebound in the South Division. With a passionate Waldorf fanbase behind them, the team looks to tighten their pitching and reignite their offense in the remaining games of the opening series.
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, a staple of Waldorf since 2008, remain a cornerstone of local sports culture. Friday’s opener drew a lively crowd, eager to cheer on their team in the Atlantic League’s 27th season. As the series continues, the Blue Crabs aim to leverage home-field advantage at Regency Furniture Stadium to even the score against High Point.
