LANCASTER, Pa. — Southern Maryland didn’t let their foot off the pedal with the first half of the 2021 season coming to a close. In a series opener at Clipper Magazine Stadium, the Blue Crabs dominated the Lancaster Barnstormers, winning 18-9.

After a day off due to a rainout on Thursday, the well-rested Blue Crabs bats made a statement in the first inning. Southern Maryland plated an incredible nine runs, tied for the second most the team has scored in a single inning in 2021. It simply wasn’t the Stormers’ starter, Augie Sylk’s (L, 2-3) night. The southpaw allowed eight earned runs in two-thirds of an inning.

Blue Crabs’ leadoff man, Cesar Trejo singlehandedly took over the first inning of action offensively. The outfielder had a single, a triple, two stolen bases, and three RBI in the first inning alone. A majority of the remaining runs in the first inning came via the walk, but the bats were just getting started.

Entering the game with two outs in the first inning, Lancaster’s reliever, Zach Smith struggled in his Atlantic League debut. Smith, recorded two and one thirds innings of work, allowing eight earned runs. In the second inning, the Blue Crabs added a trio of runs. First, Josh McAdams mashed his team leading eleventh home run of the season, and next Kent Blackstone tripled a run home. In the third inning, all of the damage was done on one swing of the bat. Kent Blackstone hit his second grand slam of the season to plate a quartet of runs, handing the Blue Crabs their largest lead of the 2021 season, 16-0.

While the Barnstormers scored eight runs in the remainder of the game, Southern Maryland’s lead was simply too large to overcome. The Blue Crabs got a much needed statement win, beating the Barnstormers 18-9 while recording a season high 21 hits. Southern Maryland will look to carry Friday’s momentum into the remainder of the season as they move toward earning a playoff bid in the second half, and will put Carl Brice on the hill for Saturday’s contest.

About the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

The Blue Crabs play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. The Blue Crabs, set to kick off their 13th season of baseball, call Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland home.  For more information on the Blue Crabs, please call 301-638-9788 or visit http://www.somdbluecrabs.com for more information.

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