Lancaster, PA – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs secured a narrow 4-3 win over the Lancaster Stormers in an Atlantic League of Professional Baseball game at Penn Medicine Park on May 7, 2025. The game, attended by 4,024 fans, ended at 9:23 p.m. after a 2-hour, 34-minute contest, with Shawn Semple earning the win, Noah Skirrow taking the loss, and Jimmie Sherfy closing out the save.
The Blue Crabs (5-6) took an early lead in the first inning when Jackson Loftin scored on an error by Lancaster’s catcher, Alex Isola. The Stormers (4-7) responded immediately, with Isola hitting a two-run homer to put Lancaster ahead 2-1. Southern Maryland regained the lead in the fourth inning, powered by Gio Digiacomo’s two-run homer, scoring Ethan Wilson and himself for a 3-2 advantage. The Blue Crabs added a crucial run in the sixth when Alejandro De Aza scored on Brett Barrera’s single, making it 4-2.
Lancaster fought back in the seventh, with Joseph Carpenter scoring on Nick Ward’s sacrifice fly, narrowing the gap to 4-3. Despite opportunities, the Stormers left six runners on base and couldn’t overcome Southern Maryland’s pitching. Sherfy sealed the victory in the ninth, retiring Lancaster’s final three batters.
Semple pitched six innings for the Blue Crabs, allowing two earned runs on three hits while striking out two. Skirrow, Lancaster’s starter, pitched 5.1 innings, giving up four earned runs on five hits with seven strikeouts. Digiacomo led Southern Maryland’s offense, going 1-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs. Isola paced Lancaster, hitting 1-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs.
The Blue Crabs’ defense was flawless, committing no errors and turning in key plays, including Loftin’s five assists and Barrera’s 12 putouts. Lancaster’s lone error in the first inning proved costly, allowing Southern Maryland’s early run. The Stormers’ offense struggled, stranding runners and managing only five hits against Southern Maryland’s pitching staff.
The game saw 12 strikeouts from Blue Crabs batters and six from the Stormers, reflecting strong pitching on both sides. Southern Maryland left seven runners on base, while Lancaster’s six left-on-base opportunities highlighted missed chances to tie or take the lead.
Penn Medicine Park, located in Lancaster, hosted the matchup under favorable weather conditions. Umpires Bill Reuter (plate), Daniel Wetzel (first base), and Steve Zawisky (third base) officiated the game. The Atlantic League, known for its competitive independent baseball, continues to draw fans to regional matchups like this one.
The victory improves Southern Maryland’s record to 5-6, while Lancaster falls to 4-7. Both teams are early in the 2025 season, with opportunities to climb the standings in the Atlantic League’s North Division. The Blue Crabs’ ability to capitalize on key moments, like Digiacomo’s homer and Barrera’s RBI single, proved decisive in this closely contested game.
