WALDORF, Md. — The Charleston Dirty Birds defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 6-3 on April 29, 2025, in an Atlantic League of Professional Baseball game at Regency Furniture Stadium. The 2-hour, 51-minute matchup, attended by 1,345 fans under sunny 81-degree conditions, saw Charleston improve to 1-3-0, while Southern Maryland fell to 0-4-0.
Charleston’s offense, powered by eight hits, overcame an early deficit. Joseph Rosa led with a double and a triple, driving in two runs, while James Nelson hit a solo home run in the second inning. JJ Matijevic’s two-run double in the fifth inning proved decisive, scoring Zach Daniels and Ariel Pestano Jr. to give Charleston a 5-3 lead. Carlos Meza earned the win, pitching two scoreless innings, and Joe Record secured the save. For Southern Maryland, Sam Dexter hit a solo home run, and Brett Barrera’s triple drove in a run, but the team managed only four hits. Maceo Campbell took the loss after allowing three runs in the fifth.
The game began with Southern Maryland taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning on Jamari Baylor’s RBI single, scoring Jackson Loftin. Charleston tied it in the second with Nelson’s homer, but Dexter’s homer put the Blue Crabs ahead 2-1. The teams traded runs in the fourth, with Charleston’s Matijevic scoring on a wild pitch and Southern Maryland’s Cael Chatham scoring on Barrera’s triple, tying the game at 3-3. Charleston’s three-run fifth and Rosa’s RBI triple in the seventh sealed the victory.
Charleston’s pitching staff, led by starter David Lebron, allowed three earned runs and struck out seven. Southern Maryland’s Joey Hennessey pitched four innings, giving up two runs. The Blue Crabs’ defense committed one error, while Charleston played error-free, turning two double plays. Southern Maryland’s base-running was active, with four stolen bases, but two runners were caught stealing.
The game, broadcast on FloBaseball, is available for replay. Southern Maryland General Manager Courtney Knichel expressed enthusiasm for the season, saying, “It’s exciting to have every team visit Regency Furniture Stadium in 2025. The Blue Crabs look forward to having our beloved fans back”. The teams face off again on April 30 at 6:35 p.m., with Charleston aiming to extend its lead in the series.
The Atlantic League, a partner of Major League Baseball, features 10 teams split into North and South Divisions. Southern Maryland, in the South Division, opened its 2025 season at home against High Point before facing Charleston, the defending Southern Division champions. Despite the loss, posts on X reflected Blue Crabs’ fan engagement, noting Dexter’s home run and early lead. The game highlighted key performances, with Rosa’s multi-hit game and Charleston’s clutch hitting proving the difference.
