(Waldorf, MD., Jun. 8, 2018) - The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (14-23) took the series opener against the Sugar Land Skeeters (23-15) 13-5, their highest run total on the season.
The scoring started early in the night, as the Skeeters put up two runs in the top of the first. After a groundout started the inning, Casey Delgado (3-3) hit Derek Norris to put a runner aboard. After a flyout picked up the second out of the inning, Denis Phipps crushed a no-doubt homerun to left field. They added another on a solo homerun from Anthony Giansanti in the second inning, opening up an early 3-0 lead.
The Blue Crabs offense didn’t stay quiet long, exploding for seven runs in the bottom of the second off of Brett Marshall (2-2). Back-to-back singles started the frame, before Jose Gonzalez doubled off the left field wall, scoring both Frank Martinez and Devon Rodriguez on the play. Two walks followed the extra-base hit, loading the bases with still just one out in the inning. Edwin Garcia singled to score one run, before a single from Teodoro Martinez added two more. Angelo Songco capped off the inning with a third straight single, scoring another to give the Blue Crabs seven runs in the inning, their highest single inning total on the season.
The offense wasn’t done there, as the Blue Crabs added another in the third. A two-out triple from Ryan Strausborger extended the inning for the top of the order, with Johnny Bladel singling to score Strausborger. Sugar Land responded with one of their own in the fourth, when a throwing error allowed Anthony Giansanti to score and put the score at 8-3.
Southern Maryland bounced right back, putting up one of their own in the bottom half. An error allowed Songco to reach once more, before a double from Frank Martinez scored him from first. They continued to pour it on with four more in the fifth, extending the lead to 13-4. A hit-by-pitch started the inning, with another triple coming two batters later to score pinch-runner Austin Green from first. Garcia followed with a single to score Bladel, before Songco continued to add to the offense with a two-run homerun, his first long ball of the season.
A solo homerun from Kyle Kubitza added one to the Skeeters total in the sixth, before the pitching finally settled down on both sides. The Blue Crabs bullpen took over for Delgado after 5.1 innings, and shutdown the Skeeters offense from there. Four different relievers combined to retire all 11 batters they faced, finishing off the 13-5 win for the team.
The Blue Crabs return to action Saturday, June 9th for the second game against the Skeeters. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. on Saturday at Regency Furniture Stadium.
For more information on the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, or to reserve your seat today for any of the Blue Crabs upcoming home games, please visit our website at somdbluecrabs.com or call us at 301-638-9788.
About the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
The Blue Crabs play 126 regular season games in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs. The Blue Crabs play at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland with affordable family fun. The franchise will begin its 11th season in April 2018. Please call 301-638-9788 or visit http://www.somdbluecrabs.com for more information.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment.
For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.