Bridgewater, NJ – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (8-9) dropped the series opener against the Somerset Patriots (8-8) 3-2, on a walk-off single in the ninth from Scott Kelly.
The two starters went toe-to-toe through the first two innings, before Efrain Nieves (1-3) finally tripped up in the third. The Patriots starter struck out the first two batters in the inning, before Kalaika Kahoohalahala reached on a single. Zach Cone followed with a double, scoring Kahoohalahala from first, putting the Blue Crabs ahead 1-0.
Drew Hayes (6-4) had the Patriots number all night on the mound. The right-hander allowed just two baserunners to reach after the second inning, retiring 11 straight batters before being lifted from the game.
L.J. Hoes led off the seventh inning with a double, before with one out in the inning, the tarp was put on the field and the game entered a rain delay. After over 30 minutes of delay, the teams returned to the field to resume action. Luis Alen immediately singled to center field, scoring Hoes for an insurance run.
After a scoreless eighth inning, the Blue Crabs turned the bottom of the ninth over to All-Star closer Cody Eppley. Justin Pacchioli reached on an error at third to start the inning, before Eppley picked up a strikeout. Kyle Roller singled to advance the runner to second, and bring the winning run to the plate in Mark Minicozzi. Minicozzi also reached on an error, this time at shortstop, loading the bases with one out. Eppley then walked Carlos Guzman, and hit Zach Racusin, tying the game at 2-2. Scott Kelly followed with a single to score a pinch-runner from third, capping the rally and walking-off the victory for Somerset.
The Blue Crabs return to action Wednesday, July 25 for a doubleheader in the four-game series against the Patriots. First pitch in game one is scheduled for 11:05 A.M., with the second game coming at 7:05 p.m.