(Waldorf, MD., May 8, 2017) – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (9-9), lost the opening game of their three-game road series against the Lancaster Barnstomers (10-8) 8-3.
In just his second start of the season, starter Austin Fleet (0-1), struggled for the Blue Crabs, giving up six runs in his four innings of work. Lancaster opened the scoring in the second inning, when Kevin Ahrens doubled in Blake Gailen for the first run of the game. The lead expanded to 3-0 later in the inning, when Caleb Gindl singled to score Lastings Milledge and Ahrens.
The Blue Crabs mustered a run in the top of the fourth inning, when Cory Vaughn doubled in Danny Muno from first. In the bottom of the inning, Lancaster was able to extend their lead, scoring three more off of Fleet in his last inning of work. With two runners on, Gindl hit his fifth homerun of the season, bringing the score to 6-1.
The Barnstormers picked up two more runs off Southern Maryland’s reliever Britt Robertshaw. Anderson De La Rosa led off the sixth inning with a double off Robertshaw, before scoring two batters later on a single from Garret Weber. The lead grew to 8-1 in the seventh inning when Ahrens picked up his second RBI of the game, scoring Milledge on a double.
The Blue Crabs were unable to figure out Lancaster’s starter, Brad Bergesen (2-0), who allowed just one run over eight innings. Southern Maryland was able to rally late, putting up two runs in the ninth inning, but fell short for the first time in this six-game road trip.
The Blue Crabs return to action Tuesday, May 9th in the second game of the three-game series on the road against the Barnstormers. Southern Maryland will send RHP Daryl Thompson (1-2, 2.36 ERA) to the mound, looking to even the series. He will matchup against Lancaster’s LHP Nate Reed (0-0, 0.73 ERA), in his third start of the season for the Barnstormers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. on Tuesday at Clipper Magazine 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.