The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs secured an 8-6 victory over the Gastonia Ghost Peppers on May 27, 2025, in an Atlantic League game at CaroMont Health Park. The Blue Crabs’ offense erupted for three home runs, including a pivotal three-run shot by Giovanni Digiacomo, while their pitching held firm to fend off a late Gastonia rally before 623 fans.
The game, which lasted 2 hours and 51 minutes, saw Southern Maryland take an early lead in the first inning when Ethan Wilson homered to right field, scoring one run. Gastonia responded in the bottom of the first with two runs, as Jack Reinheimer doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Dalton Guthrie, followed by a solo home run from Justin Wylie. The Blue Crabs tied the game in the second with a solo home run by John Taylor, setting the stage for a decisive third inning.
In the top of the third, Southern Maryland surged ahead with four runs. Ryan McCarthy doubled, and Alejandro De Aza followed with an RBI double to score McCarthy. After Pearce Howard walked, Digiacomo launched a three-run home run to center field, scoring De Aza and Howard, giving the Blue Crabs a 6-2 lead. Gastonia answered with two runs in the bottom of the third, as Reinheimer tripled and scored on a double by Kevin Watson Jr., who later scored on a single by Guthrie.
The Ghost Peppers narrowed the gap to 6-5 in the fifth when Cole Roederer hit a solo home run. Southern Maryland extended their lead in the sixth, as Howard doubled and scored on a single by Taylor, who later scored on a single by Brett Barrera, making it 8-5. Gastonia added one run in the seventh on a triple by Guthrie, who scored on a groundout by Wylie, but the Blue Crabs’ bullpen held firm to secure the win.
Ian Kahaloa earned the win for Southern Maryland, pitching five innings and allowing five runs on nine hits with five strikeouts. Rafi Vazquez closed the game, earning the save despite allowing one run in the seventh. Duane Underwood Jr. took the loss for Gastonia, surrendering six runs on five hits over four innings. The Blue Crabs’ 10 hits, including four doubles and three home runs, powered their offense, while Gastonia’s 11 hits, including two doubles, a triple, and two home runs, were not enough to overcome the deficit.
The Blue Crabs’ key contributors included Digiacomo, who went 1-for-3 with three RBIs, and Taylor, who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. De Aza added a 2-for-4 performance with an RBI, and Wilson’s home run sparked the early offense. For Gastonia, Guthrie went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, and Wylie drove in two runs with his home run. Reinheimer scored twice, going 2-for-4 with a double and a triple.
The game, played under cloudy skies with 56-degree temperatures and 7 mph winds, featured clean fielding, with no errors recorded by either team. Southern Maryland’s McCarthy threw out a runner attempting to steal, while Gastonia’s Patrick Mazeika managed the game behind the plate, allowing one stolen base by Taylor. Plate umpire Timothy Gansrow and field umpires Anthony Greene and Clark Morgan officiated the contest.
The victory improves the Blue Crabs’ record to 14-12, while the Ghost Peppers fall to 9-19 in the Atlantic League’s 2025 season. The Atlantic League, an independent professional baseball league, features teams like the Blue Crabs, based in Waldorf, Maryland, and the Ghost Peppers, a newer addition to Gastonia, North Carolina. The Blue Crabs, in their 18th season, continue to compete in the South Division, aiming for a playoff berth.
Fans can follow the Blue Crabs’ season and purchase tickets for home games at Regency Furniture Stadium through southernmarylandbluecrabs.com. The Ghost Peppers, playing at CaroMont Health Park, offer ticket information at goghostpeppers.com. The game’s outcome reflects Southern Maryland’s ability to capitalize on key moments, setting a positive tone for their road trip.
| Key Game Statistics | Southern Maryland Blue Crabs | Gastonia Ghost Peppers |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 8 | 6 |
| Hits | 10 | 11 |
| Home Runs | Wilson (5), Digiacomo (6), Taylor (4) | Wylie (9), Roederer (4) |
| RBIs | Digiacomo 3, Taylor 2, Wilson, De Aza, Barrera | Wylie 2, Guthrie 2, Watson Jr., Roederer |
| Pitching | Kahaloa (W, 5 IP, 5 R, 5 K), Vazquez (SV, 1 IP, 1 R, 1 K) | Underwood Jr. (L, 4 IP, 6 R, 4 K) |
