HAGERSTOWN, Md. — The Hagerstown Flying Boxcars defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 1-0 in a tightly contested Atlantic League of Professional Baseball game on June 25, 2025, at Meritus Park. A single run in the eighth inning, driven by Dante Leach’s RBI single, secured the victory for Hagerstown before 1,507 fans under partly cloudy skies.
The game, which lasted two hours and four minutes, showcased stellar pitching from both teams. Hagerstown’s Mike Kickham threw seven scoreless innings, allowing seven hits and striking out ten. Dauris Valdez earned the win with a scoreless eighth, and Rafael Kelly closed the game with a perfect ninth for the save. Southern Maryland’s Shawn Semple pitched eight innings, surrendering one earned run on seven hits with five strikeouts but took the loss.
The decisive moment came in the eighth inning when Hagerstown’s Justin Acal tripled to left field and scored on Leach’s single to right. The Flying Boxcars’ defense, anchored by catcher Joe DeLuca’s 11 putouts, held firm to preserve the shutout. Southern Maryland stranded seven runners, unable to capitalize on hits from Sam Dexter, Ethan Wilson, and Brett Barrera, who each had two.
Both teams recorded seven hits and committed no errors. Hagerstown’s DeLuca led with two doubles, while Southern Maryland’s Dondrei Hubbard hit a double. The Blue Crabs’ Jackson Loftin was hit by a pitch, marking his 14th of the season. Hagerstown’s Tyler Williams and Leach each stole a base, and Osvaldo Abreu was caught stealing.
The game, starting at 6:37 p.m., ended at 8:41 p.m. with the temperature at 86 degrees. Umpires Martin Hasenfuss (plate), Ian Pittenger (first base), and Bill Reuter (second base) officiated. Southern Maryland, with a 29-24 record, remains in playoff contention, while Hagerstown improved to 14-39.
Meritus Park, Hagerstown’s home field, has hosted competitive matchups in the Atlantic League, known for its independent professional baseball since 1998. The Blue Crabs, based in Waldorf, Maryland, have been a mainstay in the league, drawing fans from Southern Maryland. The Flying Boxcars, a newer addition, continue to build their presence in the region.
This loss marks a rare shutout for the Blue Crabs, who have leaned on their offense throughout the season. Hagerstown’s pitching trio of Kickham, Valdez, and Kelly stifled Southern Maryland’s lineup, highlighting the Flying Boxcars’ potential despite their record. As the season progresses, both teams will look to build on their performances in this low-scoring affair.
