On a crisp September evening at Truist Point in High Point, North Carolina, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs showcased their offensive firepower and defensive grit, securing a 4-3 victory over the High Point Rockers on September 2, 2025. The Atlantic League contest, played before 1,188 fans, saw the Blue Crabs, hailing from Waldorf in Charles County, rely on a pair of two-run homers to edge out their South Division rivals. For Southern Maryland, a region where baseball fervor runs deep, the win marked a high point in a competitive season, boosting the Blue Crabs’ record to 60-52 and keeping playoff hopes alive at Regency Furniture Stadium.
The Blue Crabs struck early and decisively, with shortstop Sam Dexter launching a two-run homer in the third inning after Giovanni Digiacomo drew a leadoff walk. The blast gave Southern Maryland a 2-0 lead, igniting the visiting fans who made the trip from St. Mary’s, Charles, and Calvert counties. In the sixth, third baseman Brett Barrera added another two-run shot, following a double by Dondrei Hubbard, to extend the lead to 4-1. These homers proved just enough to hold off a late rally by the Rockers, who fell to 67-45 overall and 26-23 in the second half, trailing division leader Gastonia by three games.
High Point’s starter, Ben Wereski, delivered a strong performance despite the loss, pitching six innings and allowing five hits while striking out eight. The first-year lefty kept the Blue Crabs’ potent lineup in check for much of the night, but the homers by Dexter and Barrera proved too much to overcome. For Southern Maryland, right-hander Kyle Virbitsky earned his first win of the season, tossing six innings and allowing just one earned run on five hits while striking out seven. His ability to settle down after a rocky fourth inning, when High Point scored on a double by Alex Dickerson, was crucial to the Blue Crabs’ success.
The game’s drama peaked in the seventh when High Point mounted a comeback. After Virbitsky allowed a single and a walk, reliever Jordan Carr took the mound but struggled, walking Evan Edwards to load the bases. A fielding error by Barrera at third allowed a run to score, narrowing the gap to 4-2. Then, in a rare and pivotal moment, High Point’s Braxton Davidson hit into a triple play. His grounder to second was fielded cleanly, with the Blue Crabs turning a swift 4-6-3 play to retire Davidson and catch Edwards out at third after he rounded the base too aggressively. The play, executed with precision by Jamari Baylor and Barrera, silenced the Rockers’ rally and preserved Southern Maryland’s lead.
In the ninth, High Point made one final push. Max Viera’s double and Braxton Davidson’s single set up a potential tying run, but Blue Crabs right fielder Pearce Howard made a perfect throw to the cutoff man, Baylor, who relayed to the plate to tag out Viera in a bang-bang play. Closer Endrys Briceño sealed the 4-3 win, earning his fourth save of the season with 1.2 innings of work, allowing two hits and striking out two.
The game also highlighted individual performances that have defined the Blue Crabs’ 2025 season. Dexter’s homer added to his team-leading 13 home runs and 56 RBIs, while Barrera’s blast brought his season total to seven homers and 66 RBIs. Digiacomo, with his 33rd stolen base, showcased the speed that has made him a fan favorite in Waldorf. On the mound, Virbitsky’s debut win signaled his potential as a key arm in the Blue Crabs’ rotation, supported by a bullpen that included Carr, Brandon McCabe, and Briceño.
For High Point, the loss was a setback in a strong season, with standout performances from Dickerson, who drove in a run, and Viera, whose double nearly sparked a comeback. The Rockers, who released three pitchers and acquired outfielder Bryson Parks and former MLB pitcher Andre Scrubb before the game, remain a formidable opponent. The series continues on Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. at Truist Point, with Southern Maryland’s Jason Blanchard (0-0, 0.52 ERA) facing High Point’s Jake Gilbert (1-1, 4.11 ERA). Fans in Southern Maryland can stream the action on FloBaseball.tv or listen via the MixLR app, keeping the region connected to their team’s playoff push.
As the Blue Crabs vie for a postseason berth in the Atlantic League’s South Division, this win underscores their competitive spirit and Southern Maryland’s passion for baseball. With a 60-52 record, the team is poised to make a strong finish, carrying the hopes of fans across the tri-county area. From charity events supporting the Southern Maryland Food Bank to fireworks nights at Regency Furniture Stadium, the Blue Crabs continue to unite the community, proving that in Southern Maryland, baseball is more than a game—it’s a way of life.
