In a tightly contested Atlantic League matchup, the Gastonia Ghost Peppers defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 8-5 on September 7, 2025, at CaroMont Health Park in Gastonia, North Carolina. A crowd of 1,632 fans braved cloudy skies and a brisk 72-degree evening to witness a game that showcased offensive firepower and a pivotal fifth-inning rally by the home team. The victory improved Gastonia’s record to 60-57, while the Blue Crabs, a staple of Southern Maryland’s sports scene, fell to 62-55 in the South Division race.
The Blue Crabs struck early, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Jackson Loftin singled, stole second—his 55th stolen base of the season—and scored on Braeden Barrera’s single. Loftin, a standout third baseman, continued to shine in the fourth, launching his 17th home run of the season, a two-run shot that put Southern Maryland ahead 3-0. The team added another run in the sixth when Sam Dexter, a reliable shortstop from Maine, hit a solo home run—his 14th of the year—to extend the lead to 4-0. Ryan McCarthy’s RBI single later in the inning pushed the score to 5-2, giving Southern Maryland a seemingly comfortable edge.
Gastonia, however, roared back in the fifth inning, capitalizing on a faltering Blue Crabs pitching staff. The Ghost Peppers erupted for five runs, sparked by Justin Wylie’s two-run homer—his 25th of the season—and Eric De La Rosa’s solo shot, his 20th. Additional RBIs from Steve Long Jr. and Dalton Guthrie flipped the score to 5-4 in Gastonia’s favor. The inning proved to be a turning point, as Southern Maryland’s starter Kyle Virbitsky, who pitched seven innings and allowed five earned runs, could not stem the tide.
The Ghost Peppers sealed the game in the eighth inning with three more runs. Long Jr. drove in two with a single, and Aaron McKeithan added an RBI single, extending Gastonia’s lead to 8-5. Brandon McCabe, who took the loss for Southern Maryland, struggled in the eighth, surrendering three earned runs without recording an out. Gastonia’s Ryan Hennen earned the win with a scoreless relief appearance, and Sam Bordner secured the save, allowing just one hit in the ninth.
Southern Maryland’s offense was led by Loftin, who went 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a home run, and Dexter, who contributed an RBI and a homer. Barrera and McCarthy also drove in runs, but the team left eight runners on base, a missed opportunity that haunted them in the late innings. Gastonia’s attack was more balanced, with Wylie and De La Rosa each hitting home runs, and Long Jr., Guthrie, Narciso Crook, and McKeithan adding RBIs. Jack Reinheimer, Gastonia’s shortstop, went 3-for-5 with a double, further bolstering the offense.
Defensively, both teams were sharp, with no errors recorded. Southern Maryland’s Braeden Barrera anchored the infield with nine putouts at first base, while Gastonia’s Aaron McKeithan handled seven putouts behind the plate. The Blue Crabs’ defense, including three assists from second baseman CJ Chatham, held firm but could not prevent Gastonia’s four stolen bases, including one by Wylie.
Gastonia’s victory underscored their resilience in their first season as the Ghost Peppers, a rebranded identity unveiled in 2025 after fan voting favored the name inspired by the Carolina Reaper chili pepper. CaroMont Health Park, opened in 2021, has become a vibrant home for the team, which previously played as the Gastonia Baseball Club in 2024.
As the Atlantic League season nears its conclusion, both teams are vying for playoff positioning in the competitive South Division. Southern Maryland will look to rebound in their next series, with fans able to follow the action at Regency Furniture Stadium or via FloBaseball streams.
