WALDORF, Md. — The Lexington Legends defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 7-4 in an Atlantic League of Professional Baseball game on June 29, 2025, at Regency Furniture Stadium. The Legends’ five-run fourth inning proved decisive, overcoming an early Blue Crabs lead before a crowd of 2199 under partly cloudy skies with temperatures reaching 94 degrees.
The game, which lasted 3 hours and 12 minutes, saw Lexington’s Nic Laio earn the win, pitching six innings and allowing four earned runs on four hits with six strikeouts. Southern Maryland’s Ian Kahaloa lost after surrendering five runs, four earned, over four innings. The Legends outhit the Blue Crabs 12-5, capitalizing on key moments to secure their 30th win of the season, improving to 30-27-0. The Blue Crabs fell to 31-26-0.
Southern Maryland struck first in the opening inning. Evan Wilson hit a solo home run, his ninth of the season, giving the Blue Crabs a 1-0 lead. The score held until the fourth, when Lexington erupted for five runs. Xavier Washington drove in two runs, and Pedro Gonzalez added two more with a single, while Paul Winland contributed an RBI. The Blue Crabs responded in the bottom of the fourth, scoring three runs, including one on a sacrifice fly by Giovanni Digiacomo, narrowing the gap to 5-4.
Lexington extended its lead in the eighth with two additional runs, driven by Washington and Gonzalez, who finished with two RBIs. Washington also scored twice and stole two bases, while Ethan Cumbo went 2-for-4 with a double and a stolen base. Alejandro De Aza led with two hits for the Blue Crabs, and Wilson and Digiacomo each drove in a run.
The Legends’ pitching staff, led by Laio, held firm after the fourth. Relievers Jonathan Loper, Jose Dilone, and Jacob Haab combined for three scoreless innings, with Haab closing out the ninth. Southern Maryland’s bullpen, including Jared Miller, Cody Thompson, and Andre Scrubb, allowed two runs over five innings but could not overcome the early deficit.
The game showcased strong defensive play from Lexington, with shortstop Austin Atwood recording five assists and anchoring a double play alongside second baseman Brian Fuentes and first baseman Curtis Terry. The Blue Crabs committed one error, attributed to first baseman Josiah Baylor, contributing to an unearned run in the fourth.
Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf has been the Blue Crabs’ home since their inaugural 2008 season. The Atlantic League, an independent professional baseball league, features 10 teams across the eastern United States, with the Legends and Blue Crabs competing in the North Division. Both teams are hunting for playoff contention, with the Blue Crabs holding a slight edge in the standings at 31-26-0.
The Legends’ offensive outburst in the fourth inning highlighted their ability to capitalize on opportunities. Kahaloa’s four walks and an error by Baylor set the stage for Lexington’s rally, which included three singles and a hit-by-pitch. The Blue Crabs’ response in the bottom half, driven by two hit-by-pitches to Digiacomo and walks to Baylor and Brandon Barrera, showed resilience but fell short of tying the game.
Lexington’s 12 hits included a double by Fuentes, while their six walks and three hit-by-pitches boosted their offensive output. The Blue Crabs managed five hits, with Wilson’s home run providing their only extra-base hit. Southern Maryland left six runners on base, compared to Lexington’s 11, reflecting missed opportunities to close the gap.
The umpiring crew, led by plate umpire Jerry Martinez and field umpires Bill Worthington and Nick Rosa, oversaw a game with no reported disputes. The warm and partly cloudy weather posed no delays, allowing the contest to conclude by 5:22 p.m.
The Atlantic League’s scheduling and roster rules allow dynamic player movement, with both teams utilizing versatile lineups. Lexington used two catchers, Jake Huntzinger and Israel Quiroz, and positional shifts for Fuentes and Atwood demonstrated strategic flexibility. Southern Maryland’s decision to pinch-hit David Hubbard in the ninth aimed to spark a late rally, but Lexington’s Haab retired the side to secure the victory.
This game marked the latest chapter in the competitive rivalry between the Legends and Blue Crabs, with both teams vying for postseason positioning. The Legends’ win evened the season series, setting the stage for further matchups as the 2025 season progresses.
