High Point, NC. – Following a series opening loss, the Blue Crabs’ bats struck early and often in game two. Unfortunately, the Rockers’ came roaring back after an early Southern Maryland lead, and as the Blue Crabs bats came to an abrupt halt, High Point’s continued. The Rockers would take the series deciding game by a score of 10-4.
The scoring started with three runs in Southern Maryland’s top of the first as the leadoff hitter, Angelys Nina roped a double to kick off the action. Tony Thomas reached on an error one batter later and Frank Martinez followed with a single of his own, bringing Nina home to crack the scoring open. Cory Vaughn and Edwin Garcia kept it going by stringing together a pair of RBI singles, putting the good guys up 3-0 heading into the bottom of the first.
Fresh off a complete game win in which he allowed just two runs, Daryl Thompson (L, 2-2) took the mound for the Blue Crabs and in rare fashion, the right-hander struggled in the early going. The Rockers responded in a big way to the Blue Crabs scoring outburst. A pair of High Point singles led to Dante Bichette Jr. driving in two on an RBI double, and Quincy Lattimore kept the two-out rally alive, poking a single to bring in Bichette Jr. to tie the score at 3-3 after one inning of play.
Daryl had given up just eight earned runs in his last five starts combined, and Thompson hadn’t let up eight runs since 2018, the Crustacean Nation faithful will give him a pass for having an off night every once in a blue moon. Thompson continued to struggle as the game progressed, as the Rockers bats continued in outburst fashion, Southern Maryland’s stopped mid stride. The charge was led in large part by a trio of Rockers, as Breland Almadova, Bitchette Jr., and Lattimore would combine for a total of nine RBI on the evening. The pair would also combine for eight hits, as well as two home runs, one coming in the fifth from Lattimore to make the game 8-3, and the other coming from Almadova to make the score 9-3.
Southern Maryland would end up dropping game two by a score of 10-3. The two meet tomorrow for the series finale, looking to avoid the sweep.
The Blue Crabs hit the road for the next seven days, and will return home next Friday, May 24th, the first game of a seven day, seven game homestand at Regency Furniture Stadium, with the first pitch at 6:35 PM.
About the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
The Blue Crabs play 140 regular season games in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs. The Blue Crabs call Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland home. The 12th franchise season will begin April 2019. For more information on the SOMD Blue Crabs, please call 301-638-9788 or visit http://www.somdbluecrabs.comfor more information.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
With eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history.
For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.