The High Point Rockers defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 5-2 in an Atlantic League contest on August 6, 2025, at Truist Point in High Point, North Carolina. David Hess earned the win in relief for the Rockers, while Shawn Semple took the loss for the Blue Crabs. The outcome leveled the six-game series at one apiece following the Blue Crabs’ 5-1 victory in the opener the previous day.
Southern Maryland scored first in the opening inning when Eric Wilson hit a sacrifice fly to drive in a run, giving the Blue Crabs a 1-0 lead. High Point responded in the second with a run on Logan Napleton’s RBI double. The Rockers took control in the fourth, scoring two runs on Ben Aklinski’s two-run double. Southern Maryland tied the game briefly in the top of the fourth on Wilson’s RBI single, but High Point regained the lead in the bottom half and added single runs in the fifth and eighth innings to secure the win.
Semple started for the Blue Crabs and pitched six innings, allowing 11 hits and four earned runs while striking out five. He threw 113 pitches, 77 for strikes. Relief pitchers Dalton Ross and Jonathan Wright combined for two innings, yielding one more run. The Blue Crabs’ defense committed one error, attributed to Semple, and the team left 13 runners on base.
Hess, a former Major League Baseball pitcher with the Baltimore Orioles, pitched two scoreless innings in relief to improve his record. He struck out four batters on 35 pitches, 26 strikes. Starter Brandon Backman went four innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs with three strikeouts. Derrick Blair, Cameron Cotter and Jameson McGrane closed out the game, with McGrane earning the save by striking out three in the ninth.
Offensively, the Rockers collected 13 hits, including four doubles. Aklinski went 1-for-5 with a double and two RBIs, extending his strong season. Napleton contributed a double and an RBI, while Austin Brewer had two doubles and an RBI. Luis Gonzalez added three hits and an RBI, along with a stolen base. The Rockers stranded 11 runners but capitalized on key opportunities.
For the Blue Crabs, Wilson drove in both runs, going 1-for-4 with a sacrifice fly. Sam Dexter doubled, one of 10 hits for Southern Maryland. Zach Racusin led the team with four hits in five at-bats. The Blue Crabs drew four walks but struck out 10 times against Rockers pitching. They also had one caught stealing, with Gabe Digiacomo thrown out.
This Southern Maryland Blue Crabs game marked the team’s 41st loss of the season, dropping their record to 47-41.
Player performances in this Southern Maryland Blue Crabs game reflected season trends. Wilson, with 62 RBIs entering the contest, continues to be a key contributor. Racusin maintains a .337 batting average, tops on the team. For the Rockers, Aklinski’s 65 RBIs and Gonzalez’s 50 highlight their offensive strength.
The series continues with four more games at Truist Point, providing the Blue Crabs an opportunity to regain momentum. Southern Maryland’s next starter was not announced in available reports, but the team aims to improve on the road, where they have struggled compared to home performances.
This Southern Maryland Blue Crabs game underscores the competitive nature of the Atlantic League, where former major leaguers like Hess often make impacts. Hess, who pitched for the Orioles from 2018 to 2021, brings experience to the Rockers’ staff.
As the season progresses toward the playoffs in September, both teams focus on securing postseason berths. The Blue Crabs trail division leaders but remain in contention with consistent play.
