WALDORF, Md. — The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs staged a dramatic six-run ninth inning to defeat the Lexington Legends 8-7 on June 27, 2025, at Regency Furniture Stadium, halting Lexington’s Dylan Rock’s bid for a professional baseball record of nine consecutive games with a home run. The loss in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs series opener intensified the South Division playoff race.
Lexington’s Rock, who had homered in eight straight games, went 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and an RBI but fell one home run short of breaking the all-time record. Despite the end of his streak, Rock’s performance remained a focal point, with his 32nd RBI of the season contributing to Lexington’s early lead. The Legends (28-27) built a 7-1 advantage, driven by a four-run third inning and Curtis Terry’s standout performance, going 4-for-5 with three RBIs and a double.
Southern Maryland (31-24), trailing the High Point Rockers in the division standings, capitalized on Lexington’s bullpen collapse in the ninth. Alejandro De Aza, hitting a home run and driving in a run, and Willie Estrada, also homering, powered the rally. Pearce Howard’s sacrifice fly sealed the walk-off victory, with Jarod Wright winning and Jonathan Haab taking the loss for Lexington. The game, attended by 3,019 fans, ended at 9:57 p.m. after a 3-hour, 22-minute contest under cloudy, 72-degree conditions.
Lexington’s early dominance was evident. In the third, Terry’s three-run outburst, coupled with hits from J.T. Riddle (3-for-5) and Brian Fuentes (2-for-4), fueled the rally. Starter Dustin Beggs and reliever Jose Acosta maintained control, limiting Southern Maryland to one run through six innings. The Blue Crabs’ lone early score came in the first on a sacrifice fly by Steve Dexter. Lexington extended its lead with single runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, with Ethan Cumbo and Fuentes contributing RBIs.
The ninth inning shifted the game’s momentum. Southern Maryland’s bats erupted for six runs on clutch hits, including doubles from Evan Wilson and Jimmy Loftin. Estrada’s home run and De Aza’s long ball narrowed the gap, and Howard’s flyout scored the winning run. The Blue Crabs’ 13 hits, compared to Lexington’s 11, and three fielding errors by Southern Maryland underscored the game’s intensity. Lexington left seven runners on base, while Southern Maryland stranded nine.
The game saw one ejection, with Lexington’s Paul Fletcher removed in the ninth inning, as noted in the official boxscore. Umpires Bill Worthington (plate), Nick Rosa (first base), and Jerry Martinez (third base) officiated. Southern Maryland’s defensive efforts included two double plays involving Loftin, Dexter, and J.D. Baylor, while Lexington’s Ivan Quiroz threw out a base stealer.
Both teams remain in the playoff hunt, with the Legends aiming to rebound in the series’ next game on June 28 at Regency Furniture Stadium. The Blue Crabs’ comeback highlighted their resilience, keeping pressure on the division-leading Rockers. Lexington’s offensive output, led by Terry’s 12th double and .329 batting average, signals their potential to stay competitive despite the late collapse.
The Atlantic League, known for its high level of independent baseball, features intense rivalries like this matchup. Formed in 1998, the league includes teams across the eastern United States, with Southern Maryland joining in 2008 and Lexington in 2021. Games like this, marked by record pursuits and dramatic finishes, underscore the league’s reputation for competitive play. The boxscore details, including batting and fielding stats, reflect the close contest, with Southern Maryland’s 35 at-bats yielding eight runs and Lexington’s 35 producing seven.
Both teams face critical games to secure postseason berths as the season progresses. Lexington’s ability to shake off this loss will be tested, while Southern Maryland’s momentum could prove pivotal in their chase for the division crown.
