WALDORF, Md. — The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs defeated the High Point Rockers 6-1 on September 9, 2025, in the opening game of a six-game Atlantic League series at Regency Furniture Stadium. The Blue Crabs’ pitching staff limited the Rockers to four hits while striking out 12, securing the win before 1,858 fans under mostly cloudy skies with temperatures around 70 degrees. The game, starting at 6:37 p.m., lasted 2 hours and 55 minutes.
The loss dropped High Point to 70-48 overall and 29-26 in the Atlantic League’s second half, placing them third in the standings, four games behind Gastonia and one behind Lexington. Southern Maryland improved to 63-55 overall and 27-28 in the second half. The Blue Crabs capitalized on timely hitting and High Point’s pitching struggles, particularly in a decisive four-run sixth inning.
High Point’s offense struggled early. Luis Gonzalez singled to left in the first, extending his on-base streak to 25 games, and Ben Aklinski added a single, putting runners in scoring position. Southern Maryland starter Jason Blanchard escaped the jam, preventing any runs. The Rockers managed no hits until the sixth, when Evan Edwards doubled to score Alex Dickerson, who had walked and advanced on a sacrifice by Drew Mendoza, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Southern Maryland scored first in the third. High Point starter Jake Gilbert issued a two-out walk to catcher Lyle Lin, followed by singles from Jackson Loftin and Pearce Howard to load the bases. A wild pitch scored Lin, but Gilbert struck out Ethan Wilson to limit further damage. The Blue Crabs added a run in the fourth on Brett Barrera’s leadoff double and Lin’s sacrifice fly, making it 2-0.
The game broke open in the sixth. High Point reliever Zach Vennaro walked four batters, including two with the bases loaded, allowing Southern Maryland to surge to a 6-1 lead with just one hit in the inning. Loftin and Barrera each had two hits for the Blue Crabs, while Lin drove in a run and scored. Jalen Miller earned the win with two relief innings, allowing one hit and one run while striking out two. Gilbert took the loss, pitching four innings and allowing two runs on four hits.
High Point’s Daniel Blair provided a highlight, retiring all six batters in the seventh and eighth innings. The Rockers’ four hits came from Gonzalez, Aklinski, Edwards, and one other, with Edwards driving in their lone run. Southern Maryland’s seven hits included Barrera’s double and contributions from Loftin, Howard, and Wilson, who also stole a base.
Game two is set for September 10 at 6:35 p.m., with High Point’s Fin Del Bonta-Smith (2-3, 3.42 ERA) facing Southern Maryland’s Shawn Semple (6-7, 4.06 ERA). Fans can stream the game on FLOBASEBALL.TV or listen via the MixLR app. High Point placed pitcher Gabe Klobosits on the 7-day injured list effective September 7, eligible to return September 14.
The series continues through Sunday, testing the Rockers’ playoff positioning. Southern Maryland’s pitching depth, showcased by Blanchard, Miller, and relievers Cody Thompson and Josh Carr, poses a challenge for High Point, which needs consistent hitting to close the standings gap. The Blue Crabs’ win reinforces their home-field strength, where they’ve averaged 2,000 fans per game in 2025.
