WALDORF, MD — May 9, 2025 — The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (7-6) clinched a 7-6 walk-off victory over the Charleston Dirty Birds (4-9) in an Atlantic League of Professional Baseball game at Regency Furniture Stadium on Friday. Ethan Wilson’s ninth-inning single drove in Jackson Loftin to secure the win before 3,421 fans, marking the Blue Crabs’ first series win of the 2025 season. The game, lasting three hours and 11 minutes under sunny 60-degree weather, featured intense rallies and standout performances.
Charleston jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, fueled by Joseph Rosa’s double, Bobby Bradley’s sacrifice fly, Alsander Womack’s double, and Travis Demeritte’s single. The Blue Crabs countered in the bottom of the first, with Loftin scoring on Wilson’s single and Pearce Howard driving in Wilson. Southern Maryland tied the game at 5-5 in the sixth, powered by Gio Digiacomo’s two-run homer. Charleston regained a 6-5 lead in the seventh, but the Blue Crabs rallied in the ninth. Loftin singled, advanced to second on John Taylor’s sacrifice, and scored on Wilson’s game-winning hit.
Jimmie Sherfy (1-0) earned the win, pitching a scoreless ninth, while Eddy Demurias (0-1) took the loss for Charleston. Loftin led the Blue Crabs, going 2-for-4 with three runs and three stolen bases, while Wilson had two hits and two RBIs. Bradley drove in three runs for Charleston, with Rosa adding two doubles. The Blue Crabs’ 10 hits outpaced Charleston’s seven, and Digiacomo’s homer shifted momentum. Southern Maryland’s defense, despite one error by Loftin, executed a key double play in the seventh to halt a Charleston threat.
The Blue Crabs’ pitching staff, led by starter Andrew Thurman (five innings, five runs), weathered eight strikeouts by Charleston’s bats. Charleston’s Jonh Henriquez pitched 4.2 innings, allowing three runs. Both teams left seven runners on base, reflecting the game’s competitive nature. Southern Maryland capitalized on five walks and two passed balls by Charleston catcher Jonathan Soto, while Charleston’s five walks and one error kept the Blue Crabs in contention.
The series continues on May 10 at 6:35 p.m. at Regency Furniture Stadium, with both teams seeking to build momentum in the South Division. Fans can purchase tickets through the Blue Crabs’ ticket office or follow updates via team broadcasts. The victory positions Southern Maryland to strengthen their 7-6 record, while Charleston aims to rebound from their ninth loss.
The Atlantic League, known for its high-energy games, requires teams to play in 4,000 to 7,500-seat ballparks meeting Triple-A standards. This matchup exemplified the league’s competitive spirit, with Southern Maryland’s late-game heroics stealing the spotlight. The Blue Crabs’ resilience in overcoming a three-run deficit underscored their potential as the season progresses.
