By winning the division playoff series, the Blue Crabs have secured a spot in the Atlantic League championship series. The team will play the first two games of the series on the road and then come home to the comfort of Regency Furniture Stadium for games three, four and five if necessary.

The Blue Crabs will begin the championship action Thursday, Oct. 1 at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ for game one of the Atlantic League Championship Series against the Somerset Patriots. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Game three of the championship series is this Saturday, Oct. 3 at 6:35 p.m. Game four will be Sunday, Oct 4 at 2:05 p.m. On Monday, Oct. 5, if the Blue Crabs are successful enough to extend the series, the final home game of the championship will begin at 7:05 p.m.

The Blue Crabs promise that Saturday night’s game will be conclude with the Fantastic Firework Extravaganza. Tickets are still available and may be purchased on line at www.somdbluecrabs.com.

Team Photo of 2009 Division Champs, The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.

Game Five Division Series Recap:
 
The Crabs jumped on top early with three runs in the top of the first inning off Ducks’ starter Troy Cate. Patrick Osborn’s RBI sacrifice fly and Michael Tucker’s two-run homer did the damage. Four more runs in the fourth helped Southern Maryland extend their lead to 7-0. RBI doubles by John Ramistella and Mike Just highlighted the inning.
 
Long Island inched closer with a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth off Crabs’ starter John Halama. Johnny Hernandez’ RBI single in the fourth and two errors in the fifth pushed the score to 7-3.
 
The Ducks rallied in the ninth, plating two runs on a Ray Navarrete single and brought the winning run to the plate in Raul Gonzalez. With Franklin Gracesqui summoned from the bullpen, the lefty struck out Gonzalez and nailed down the save.
 
John Halama (2-0) picked up the win, firing seven and two-thirds innings, yielding one earned run, while punching out eight. Cate (0-2) suffered the loss surrendering seven runs in three and one-third innings.