WALDORF, Md. — The Gastonia Ghost Peppers scored four runs in the 11th inning to secure an 8-4 victory over the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in the series opener of Atlantic League action on August 19, 2025, at Regency Furniture Stadium. The game, which drew 1,455 fans under cloudy skies with temperatures at 70 degrees, lasted three hours and 38 minutes and went into extra innings after the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs tied it in the ninth.
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs struck first in the bottom of the third inning when Brett Barrera singled to drive in the team’s initial run, giving them a 1-0 lead. Gastonia responded in the fifth with two runs to take a 2-1 advantage, then added two more in the seventh to extend it to 4-1. The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs mounted a comeback in the eighth, starting with Pearce Howard being hit by a pitch with one out. Barrera then reached on an error by Gastonia left fielder Cole Roederer, allowing Howard to score and narrowing the gap to 4-2. Alejandro de Aza followed with an RBI single to bring the score to 4-3.
In the ninth, Sam Dexter led off with a double for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, setting up Jackson Loftin’s RBI fielder’s choice that tied the game at 4-4. Neither team scored in the 10th, but Gastonia broke through in the 11th with four runs to seal the 8-4 win. A notable event occurred in the top of the 10th when Gastonia’s Justin Wylie was ejected.
Bryan Blanton earned the win for Gastonia, pitching two innings and allowing no runs while striking out two. Andre Scrubb took the loss for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs after giving up four runs in two innings. Gastonia starter Connor Grey went six innings, allowing one run on five hits with six strikeouts. Southern Maryland’s Andrew Thurman pitched six innings, surrendering four runs on six hits with five strikeouts.
Offensively, Wylie led Gastonia with three RBIs, including a double and a sacrifice fly, while also stealing a base before his ejection. Eric De La Rosa contributed two RBIs, and Nick Crook and Angel Olmeda each had one. The Ghost Peppers collected 10 hits and drew seven walks, capitalizing on their opportunities in extra innings. For the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, Barrera and de Aza each drove in a run, with Dexter adding a double. The team left 11 runners on base and managed eight hits.
Gastonia’s defense featured seven putouts from first baseman Carter Aldrete and five assists from shortstop Jack Reinheimer, though Roederer’s error proved costly in the eighth. The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs played error-free ball, with catcher L.J. Lin recording 11 putouts and three assists.
This loss dropped the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs to 50-50 overall and 14-23 in the second half of the Atlantic League’s South Division, where they trail leaders like the Lexington Legends and High Point Rockers. Gastonia improved to 52-49 overall. The Atlantic League, an independent professional circuit and MLB partner league, splits its season into two halves, with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs aiming to climb the standings in the remaining games.
Recent performances for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs have been mixed. On August 17, they suffered a 14-4 defeat to the York Revolution, allowing 17 hits in a lopsided affair. Earlier, on August 14, the Lancaster Stormers edged them 3-1 with a ninth-inning rally. The team secured a 2-1 win over the High Point Rockers on August 10, thanks to Brett Barrera’s key double. These results highlight the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs’ challenges in maintaining consistency against South Division foes.
The series continues with another game at Regency Furniture Stadium on August 20, as the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs look to even the matchup against the Ghost Peppers. Fans can follow updates through the team’s official channels or Atlantic League resources.
