On Saturday, July 4, The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs defeated the Somerset Patriots 13-3 at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ to clinch the Liberty Division First Half Championship and playoff berth.
Southern Maryland scored first in the top of the second inning after center fielder Jeremy Owens singled, designated hitter Jermy Acey singled, and catcher Lance Burkhart singled to plate Owens. First baseman Octavio Martinez then singled to score Acey and right fielder John Ramistella (9) followed with a three run homerun for the 5-0 lead.
The Blue Crabs added a run in the top of the fourth inning. Acey walked and Martinez drove him home on an RBI single to make the score 6-0.
The Patriots scored in the bottom of the fourth inning after first baseman Josh Pressley walked and scored on an RBI single by third baseman Jeff Nettles to cut the lead to 6-1.
Southern Maryland broke open the game with six runs in the top of the sixth inning. Burkhart doubled, Martinez singled, and Ramistella doubled to score Burkhart. Second baseman Mike Just followed with an RBI double to plate Martinez and Ramistella, shortstop Travis Garcia singled, and left fielder James Shanks (11) hit a three run homerun for the 12-1 lead.
The Blue Crabs added a run in the top of seventh inning after Acey singled and Ramistella doubled to drive him home for the 13-1 advantage.
The Patriots scored in the bottom of the ninth inning after designated hitter Jason Belcher singled and scored on an RBI single by right fielder Elliott Ayala and catcher Travis Anderson scored on a wild pitch for the 13-3 final.
Blue Crabs reliever Ryan Bicondoa (6-2) picked up the win after pitching two scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Patriots starter Kip Bouknight (4-5) got the loss after surrendering ten earned runs on 13 hits and five strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched.