CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs secured a 6-1 victory over the Charleston Dirty Birds on July 16, 2025, at GoMart Ballpark, improving their Atlantic League record to 40-30. The game, part of a six-game series, saw the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs capitalize on strong hitting and pitching to dominate the Dirty Birds, who fell to 34-37. With 1,784 fans in attendance, the contest lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes under cloudy skies.
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs showcased offensive firepower, led by Alejandro De Aza, who went 4-for-4 with three doubles and scored four runs. Jalen Baylor contributed two doubles and two RBIs, while Sam Dexter drove in three runs, including a bases-clearing double in the fourth inning, as noted in a team post on X. Andrew Thurman earned the win, improving to 32-0, with a solid performance, while Charleston’s Jamison Hill took the loss, dropping to 17-0. The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs’ pitching staff, anchored by Thurman, struck out 11 batters, limiting Charleston to three hits.
Charleston’s lone run came from Keon Barnum’s solo home run in the fourth inning, his second of the season. Joseph Rosa added two hits for the Dirty Birds, but their offense struggled, leaving five runners on base. The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, by contrast, converted key opportunities, with Dexter’s three RBIs and Baylor’s timely hits proving decisive. The team’s error-free defense, with 12 putouts by catcher Ryan McCarthy, further solidified their control.
This win follows a dramatic 4-3 victory for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in a 10-inning thriller on July 15, 2025, where Ethan Wilson’s two-run single in the 10th clinched the game. The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs have now won two straight in the series, which continues through July 18 at Charleston before shifting to Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland. The team’s 6-1 triumph highlights their ability to blend offensive precision with defensive reliability.
With a 40-30 record, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs strengthen their position in the Atlantic League’s South Division, trailing the division-leading Gastonia Baseball Club. The Charleston Dirty Birds, at 34-37, face challenges with consistency, having lost three of their last four games due to defensive errors. The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs’ balanced attack, led by players like De Aza and Dexter, positions them as a competitive force as the season progresses. Fans can watch upcoming games on FloBaseball.
