The Long Island Ducks defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 8-7 in an 11-inning contest on July 22, 2025, at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland. The thrilling opener of a three-game Atlantic League series saw both teams trade leads, with the Ducks securing the victory in extra innings, thanks to key performances from Chris Roller and Seth Beer.
Early Game Surge by Blue Crabs
Southern Maryland struck first, building a 3-0 lead in the third inning against Long Island Ducks starter Ryan Sandberg. Jackson Loftin’s RBI single and Brett Barrera’s run-scoring fielder’s choice highlighted the rally. The Blue Crabs extended their lead to 4-2 in the fourth with Sam Dexter’s solo home run to left centerfield. The Long Island Ducks responded in the fourth, narrowing the gap to 3-2 with Roller’s leadoff homer and Beer’s RBI double off Blue Crabs starter Andrew Thurman.
Home Run Barrage Ties Game
The fifth inning turned into a home run showcase. Roller’s two-run shot for the Long Island Ducks tied the game at 4-4, but Jamari Baylor’s two-run homer for Southern Maryland quickly regained the lead at 6-4. The Ducks fought back in the seventh, as Beer’s two-out, two-RBI single knotted the score at 6-6. Both starters, Sandberg and Thurman, exited without decisions. Sandberg allowed six runs (five earned) over five innings, while Thurman gave up four runs in six innings.
Extra Innings Drama
The Long Island Ducks took a 7-6 lead in the 10th on Cody Thomas’ sacrifice fly, but Southern Maryland answered with a run in the bottom half, as Ethan Wilson scored on Baylor’s fly ball to tie it at 7-7. In the 11th, Justin O’Conner’s RBI single scored JC Encarnacion, giving the Ducks an 8-7 edge. Reliever Jacob Asa sealed the win for the Long Island Ducks, earning his first save in the team’s uniform. Sal Romano (1-0) earned the win, allowing an unearned run in one inning, while Cody Thompson (1-5) took the loss, surrendering two unearned runs over two innings.
Standout Performances
Chris Roller led the Long Island Ducks with three hits, including two home runs, three RBIs, three runs scored, and two stolen bases. Seth Beer contributed three hits, including a double, and three RBIs. For the Blue Crabs, Sam Dexter and Jamari Baylor each homered, with Baylor driving in two runs.
Next Game and How to Watch
The Long Island Ducks and Blue Crabs continue their series on July 23 at 6:35 p.m. at Regency Furniture Stadium. Fans can watch live on FloBaseball. Jonah Dipoto (2-2, 2.91 ERA) starts for the Ducks against Connor Overton, making his 2025 debut for Southern Maryland. The Ducks return home on July 29 to face the Staten Island FerryHawks at Fairfield Properties Ballpark.
The Long Island Ducks, with a 41-35 record, and the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, at 40-34, are both competitive in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs. This game, attended by 1,987 fans under sunny 83-degree weather, showcased the league’s high-energy, offense-driven style, with both teams combining for three home runs and multiple lead changes. The victory keeps the Ducks in strong contention as they push through the 2025 season.
