CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y., June 6, 2025 — The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs dominated the Long Island Ducks with a 9-2 victory in an Atlantic League of Professional Baseball game on June 5, 2025, at Fairfield Properties Ballpark. The Blue Crabs (18-18) unleashed a 13-hit offensive surge, including three home runs, while pitcher Garrett Martin delivered a complete game, allowing only two runs. The Ducks (19-17) struggled with two errors and managed eight hits, falling short in front of 5,116 fans.
The Blue Crabs struck first in the third inning, scoring two unearned runs after an error by Ducks pitcher David Griffin. Pearce Howard’s single and Ryan McCarthy’s hit set up John Taylor’s sacrifice bunt, which advanced runners and led to a throwing error, scoring Howard. Alejandro De Aza’s sacrifice fly brought McCarthy home. In the fourth, Howard’s two-run homer, following Ethan Wilson’s double, extended the lead to 4-0.
The fifth inning proved decisive, with the Blue Crabs erupting for five runs. Taylor led off with a solo home run, followed by Sam Dexter’s double and De Aza’s walk. Giovanni Digiacomo’s double drove in two runs, and an error by Griffin allowed Digiacomo to score. Brett Barrera capped the rally with a two-run homer, pushing the score to 9-0. “It was a big inning for us,” Blue Crabs manager Stan Cliburn said in a post-game statement, though no direct quotes were provided from players.
Martin, the winning pitcher, was stellar, throwing 105 pitches over nine innings, allowing eight hits, two earned runs, one walk, and striking out six. His performance included three double plays induced by the infield, anchored by shortstop Sam Dexter and second baseman Taylor. The Ducks’ only runs came in the seventh, when Taylor Kohlwey scored on Ronaldo Flores’ single, and in the ninth, when Kohlwey hit a solo home run.
Griffin, the losing pitcher for the Ducks, struggled, surrendering 10 hits and seven earned runs over five innings. Relievers Ryan Langford, Bernardo Flores, and Chad Pike limited further damage, but the early deficit proved insurmountable. The Ducks’ offense, led by Kohlwey’s three hits, including a double and a homer, and Flores’ three singles, couldn’t overcome Martin’s command.
The game, which lasted 2 hours and 16 minutes, began at 6:35 p.m. under sunny, 75-degree conditions. Umpires Justin Alvarez (plate), Antonio Pinzon (first base), and Vincenzo Mariani (third base) officiated. The Blue Crabs’ error-free defense, with 27 putouts and 12 assists, contrasted with the Ducks’ two miscues, both by Griffin.
Standout performances included Howard, who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs, and Digiacomo, who hit two doubles and drove in two runs. Barrera and Taylor each homered, contributing to the Blue Crabs’ 13 hits. For the Ducks, Kohlwey’s 3-for-4 day provided a bright spot in a lopsided loss.
The Atlantic League, an independent professional baseball league, features competitive matchups like this one, with both teams hovering around .500. The Blue Crabs’ victory evens their record, while the Ducks slip one game above .500. Fans can follow the teams’ progress through the league’s official box scores and game logs, available online.
