CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y., June 5, 2025 — The Long Island Ducks defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 7-4 on June 4, 2025, at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in an Atlantic League of Professional Baseball game. The Ducks’ 11 hits, including three home runs, outpowered the Blue Crabs, who struggled with two errors and left seven runners on base.
The game, attended by 3,913 fans under sunny 71-degree weather, saw Long Island surge ahead with a four-run third inning. Chad Pike’s solo home run sparked the rally, followed by Ed Johnson’s double and River Town’s three-run homer, which also scored Chris Roller after a Blue Crabs’ error. Southern Maryland responded in the fourth, scoring three runs on singles by Giovanni Digiacomo, Brett Barrera, and Sam Dexter, aided by a Ducks’ error. Alejandro De Aza crossed the plate, followed by Digiacomo and John Taylor.
Long Island extended their lead with Ronaldo Flores’ solo home run in the sixth and an unearned run in the seventh, driven in by Taylor Kohlwey’s single after a Blue Crabs’ fielding miscue. De Aza’s seventh-inning home run brought the Blue Crabs within three, but they failed to score in the final two frames. The game lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes, concluding at 9:16 p.m.
Juan Hillman earned the win for the Ducks, pitching five innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits with six strikeouts. Peyton Williams secured the save, tossing a hitless ninth. Maceo Campbell took the loss for the Blue Crabs, surrendering four runs (three earned) over 2.2 innings. The Blue Crabs’ bullpen, including John Kelly and Brandon McCabe, allowed three more runs, with McCabe striking out four in 1.1 innings.
The Ducks’ offense was led by Town, who went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, and Flores, who hit 2-for-4 with a homer. Johnson added two doubles. For the Blue Crabs, De Aza went 1-for-3, scoring twice, including his fifth home run of the season. Digiacomo contributed a single, a stolen base, and an RBI. However, Jackson Loftin struck out four times, and the team managed only five hits.
Fielding errors hurt Southern Maryland, with miscues by Jamari Baylor and Barrera contributing to three unearned runs. The Ducks’ lone error, by Kohlwey, led to two unearned runs for the Blue Crabs. Ryan McCarthy led the Blue Crabs’ defense with eight putouts and a caught stealing, while Kohlwey anchored the Ducks with 11 total chances.
The loss dropped the Blue Crabs to 17-18, while the Ducks improved to 19-16. The game featured 17 strikeouts, with Long Island’s pitchers fanning 10 Blue Crabs. Umpires Vincenzo Mariani (plate), Justin Alvarez (first base), and Antonio Pinzon (third base) officiated.
Southern Maryland’s early-season struggles continue as they face a competitive Atlantic League. The Blue Crabs, based in Waldorf, Maryland, have been a staple since joining the league in 2008. The Ducks, a Long Island mainstay since 2000, capitalized on their home-field advantage and potent lineup to secure the victory.
