LANCASTER, Pa. — The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs defeated the Lancaster Stormers 7-4 on May 6, 2025, in an Atlantic League of Professional Baseball game at Penn Medicine Park. The Blue Crabs (4-6) surged early with 14 hits, led by Alejandro De Aza’s three-run homer, while the Stormers (4-6) struggled with only four hits, despite a three-run homer from Nick Ward.
The game, attended by 3,409 fans, began at 6:48 p.m. and lasted 2 hours and 26 minutes. Southern Maryland’s Rafi Vazquez (2-0) earned the win, pitching two scoreless innings, while Tim Brennan (0-1) took the loss for Lancaster after allowing seven earned runs. Jimmie Sherfy secured the save for the Blue Crabs.
Southern Maryland struck first in the opening inning, scoring three runs. Jackson Loftin singled and scored on a catcher’s error, followed by John Taylor’s stolen base and score on De Aza’s two-run homer. Lancaster responded in the second with Ward’s three-run homer, tying the game at 3-3 after Joseph Carpenter and LeDarious Clark reached base. The Blue Crabs regained the lead in the third when Ethan Wilson tripled and scored on De Aza’s single, making it 4-3.
The fourth inning proved decisive, with Southern Maryland adding three more runs. Taylor doubled, and Ryan McCarthy reached on a fielder’s choice, both scoring on Wilson’s single. Pearce Howard’s single drove in Wilson, pushing the lead to 7-3. Lancaster managed one run in the eighth when Yeison Coca scored on Kelly Dugan’s sacrifice fly, but the Stormers couldn’t close the gap.
De Aza led the Blue Crabs with three RBIs and two hits, while Wilson added two RBIs and a triple. Taylor scored twice and stole a base, and Gio Digiacomo contributed two hits and a stolen base. For Lancaster, Ward’s three RBIs accounted for most of their offense, but the team left five runners on base and committed two errors, both by catcher Alex Isola.
Southern Maryland’s pitching staff, including starter John Kelly, Vazquez, Noah Willamson, and Sherfy, limited Lancaster to four hits and struck out nine. Brennan struggled for the Stormers, surrendering 12 hits over six innings, though relievers Michael McAvene and Kyle Johnson held the Blue Crabs scoreless in the final three innings.
The Blue Crabs’ 14 hits and error-free defense contrasted with Lancaster’s four hits and two errors, highlighting Southern Maryland’s offensive depth and fielding precision. The game saw three stolen bases by the Blue Crabs, with Loftin, Taylor, and Digiacomo capitalizing on Isola’s defensive miscues.
The Atlantic League, an independent professional baseball league, features teams across the eastern U.S., with Southern Maryland and Lancaster both competing in the North Division. Penn Medicine Park, Lancaster’s home field, has hosted Stormers games since 2005. The Blue Crabs, based in Waldorf, Maryland, have been a staple in the league since 2008, drawing fans from Charles, St. Mary’s, and Calvert counties.
Both teams entered the game with identical 4-6 records, making the Blue Crabs’ victory a key early-season boost. The win showcased Southern Maryland’s ability to blend timely hitting with solid pitching, while Lancaster will look to rebound in upcoming games to improve their standing.
