The Chesapeake Baysox dropped their series finale by a 10-9 final to the Akron RubberDucks on Sunday afternoon.
Chesapeake (15-23) scored eight runs in a 26-minute top of the first inning. The Baysox took advantage of three RubberDucks errors and five hits to plate six runs before an out was recorded. Griff O’Ferrall walked to lead off the game, drawing an errant pickoff throw to advance, before scoring on another error to open the scoring. Later in the frame, a double from Anderson De Los Santos brought home Ethan Anderson. De Los Santos advanced to third on the throw and scored on a Frederick Bencosme single. Two batters later, Tavian Josenberger sizzled a two-run double to left. An error and an O’Ferrall sacrifice fly brought home two more, before an Anderson double plated the final run of the frame. Seven of the eight runs were charged to left-handed starter Caden Favors, who went a third of an inning. The Baysox sent 12 hitters to the plate, with eight of nine batters in the lineup reaching base.
The RubberDucks chipped away throughout the contest. Akron got on the board with a solo homer from Ralphy Velazquez in the fourth and added a run on a groundout. The RubberDucks tacked on two more in the fifth on an Alex Mooney homer and a Velazquez double.
Right-hander Zane Barnhart went an inning and a third scoreless out of the bullpen to keep the score at 8-4 into the seventh, but Akron continued its comeback. Velazquez hit his second homer of the game to lead off the frame and a double from Jacob Cozart made it a two-run contest at 8-6.
The Baysox got a run back in the top of the eighth against RubberDucks right-hander Jay Driver (W, 3-0). O’Ferrall notched his second sacrifice fly of the game to make it 9-6, but Akron answered with a four-run bottom of the frame to take the lead.
Right-hander Michael Caldon (L, 0-1) loaded the bases with one out in the inning before allowing an Alfonsin Rosario single to make the score 9-7. Caldon was lifted for left-hander Juan Rojas, who issued a walk and a hit by pitch to bring home two more runs and tie the game, before Christian Knapczyk’s sacrifice fly gave Akron a 10-9 lead. The Baysox were unable to rally in the ninth against RubberDucks reliever Sean Matson (S, 1).
The next Baysox homestand begins on Tuesday, May 19, when Chesapeake opens a six-game set against the Somerset Patriots, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees.
Southern Maryland fans from Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties continue to follow the Baysox closely as the Orioles’ Double-A affiliate. Many local families make the relatively short trip to Prince George’s Stadium for home games, while others watch road contests at neighborhood sports bars or gather for watch parties. The team’s performance remains a point of pride for the region, which has strong ties to Baltimore Orioles baseball through season-ticket groups, youth leagues and community events.
The Baysox are in the thick of the Eastern League season, and every series carries weight for fans hoping to see the next wave of Orioles talent develop. Local supporters often point to the short drive from the tri-county area to Bowie as an easy way to cheer on the affiliate in person.
