Waldorf, MD – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (7-12) lost the series opener against the Lancaster Barnstormers (8-10) 5-4, with the game being called due to weather after five innings.
The Blue Crabs opened the scoring early in the game, putting up one in the first. After two quick outs, Devon Rodriguez kept the inning going with a single. A walk to Jon Griffin ensued, with a single from Frank Martinez bringing Rodriguez home from second to open the scoring on the night.
Brett Marshall (2-4) started the night strong, working three scoreless innings to maintain the lead. The Barnstormers got their offense going in the fourth, putting up a pair of runs to take the lead. A hit-by-pitch and a walk started the inning, before a single from Ryan Casteel scored Tyler Bortnick to tie the game. A double from K.C. Hobson two batters later brought home Blake Gailen, putting Lancaster ahead 2-1.
The Blue Crabs responded with two of their own in the bottom of the inning, retaking their one-run advantage. Frank Martinez led things off with a single, coming all the way around to score on a triple from Angelo Songco. Cory Vaughn would follow that with a sacrifice fly to score Songco, putting Southern Maryland back up by one.
The Barnstormers would bounce back in the top of the fifth, scoring three runs in the inning. A single and an error put two men aboard, with a Bortnick bunt single loading the bases. Gailen came up with a sacrifice fly to score Vladimir Frias, before another single from Casteel brought home Darian Sandford. Two batters later, Casteel got caught in a rundown trying to steal second but it lasted long enough that Bortnick would score from third and take a 5-3 lead.
The back-and-forth battle wasn’t finished yet, with Southern Maryland getting one back in the bottom half of the inning. After a groundout started the frame, Edwin Garcia tripled to bring the tying run to the plate. Rodriguez singled through the right side of the infield, bringing home Garcia to cut the deficit to one. John Anderson (2-2) would recover to get back-to-back flyouts, stranding Rodriguez to hold the Lancaster lead.
After the Barnstormers were held scoreless in the top of the sixth, rain came through forcing the tarp to go on the field. After a delay of over an hour, the game was called at the spot of the delay, finishing off the 5-4 win for the Barnstormers.
The Blue Crabs return to action Wednesday, August 1st for a morning doubleheader against the Barnstormers. First pitch is scheduled for 11:05 A.M. on Wednesday 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.