WALDORF, Md. — The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs secured a 3-1 victory over the Charleston Dirty Birds on May 1, 2025, at Regency Furniture Stadium, snapping a challenging start to their Atlantic League season. With a crowd of 1,788 under sunny 73-degree skies, the Blue Crabs (1-5-0) outhit the Dirty Birds (2-4-0) 10-4, capitalizing on key moments to claim their first win. Shawn Semple earned the win, while Jimmie Sherfy sealed the save, and Kyle McGowin took the loss for Charleston.
The Blue Crabs struck first in the opening inning. Jackson Loftin singled and stole second, scoring on Alejandro De Aza’s single to center for a 1-0 lead. They extended the advantage in the fifth when John Taylor walked, advanced, and scored on Pearce Howard’s single, making it 2-0. In the seventh, Taylor walked again, moved to third on Ethan Wilson’s double, and scored on De Aza’s sacrifice fly, pushing the score to 3-1. De Aza led with two RBIs, while Howard added one.
Charleston responded in the seventh. James Nelson doubled and stole third, scoring on Travis Demeritte’s sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 3-1. Despite the effort, the Dirty Birds struggled offensively, managing only four hits. Nelson led with two hits, including a double, but the team left two runners on base and struck out eight times.
Semple dominated for Southern Maryland, pitching six scoreless innings, allowing two hits, one walk, and striking out six. Brandon McCabe allowed Charleston’s lone run in the seventh, while Noah Williamson and Sherfy closed out the game, with Sherfy securing the save in a scoreless ninth. Charleston’s McGowin pitched five innings, giving up two runs on eight hits, with one walk and one strikeout. Relievers Carlos Meza and Samuel Reyes limited further damage but couldn’t spark a comeback.
The Blue Crabs’ defense was flawless, turning two double plays and committing no errors. Charleston’s Bobby Bradley made a costly error at first base, contributing to an unearned opportunity for Southern Maryland. The home team’s 10 hits included doubles by Wilson and Dwight Childs, with Loftin, Barrera, and Digiacomo each stealing a base. Southern Maryland left eight runners on base but converted enough chances to secure the win.
The game, which lasted 2 hours and 18 minutes, showcased Southern Maryland’s resilience after a 1-5-0 start. Charleston, now 2-4-0, struggled to find rhythm against Semple’s pitching. The Atlantic League, known for competitive matchups, saw the Blue Crabs leverage their home-field advantage at Regency Furniture Stadium, where the intimate setting amplified fan energy.
This victory marks a turning point for the Blue Crabs as they aim to climb the standings—“The Official Site of The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs”. The Dirty Birds, meanwhile, look to regroup in their next outing. Both teams continue their seasons in the Atlantic League, with Southern Maryland building momentum from this hard-fought win.
