(Camden, NJ. June 22nd 2015)–-For the second straight game Southern Maryland fell down early, but scored late runs, and picked up the 7-6 victory in the series finale to take three of four from Camden.
Camden scored three runs in the bottom of the first. Brandon Chaves led things off with a single, and two batters later Joel Guzman singled to put runners at first and third. Brandon Chaves would score on a wild pitch, followed by a Carlos Guzman single to score Joel Guzman to make it 2-0. A few batters later with runners at first and second, Willis Otanez banged out a single to score Paddy Matera to make it 3-0.
Southern Maryland would strike back in the top of the second. With one out, Jovan Rosa led off with a single to center. The next hitter Jake Opitz homered over the wall in right to make it a 3-2 ballgame. The Blue Crabs would tie it in the top of the fifth. With the bases loaded and two outs, Daryle Ward would single up the middle into center to score Casey Frawley to tie the game at 3-3.
In the bottom of the fifth, Daniel Rockett doubled, which was then followed by a Joel and Carlos Guzman walk to load the bases. Paddy Matera then walked to score Rockett to make it 4-3. The next batter Ryan Strieby hit a sacrifice fly to score Joel Guzman to make it 5-3.
The Blue Crabs had a counter punch though. In the top of the sixth, Jake Opitz led things off with a double to left center field, followed by an error by the second baseman Paddy Matera to allow Opitz to move to third. Jamar Walton was next up, and he singled to score Opitz to make it a 5-4 ballgame.
Following the pattern of yesterday’s ballgame, the Blue Crabs scored late answering with three runs in the top of the seventh tonight. Casey Stevenson started the rally by being hit by a pitch. Zach Wilson then singled, and after Michael Click came on out of the bullpen for Camden, Jovan Rosa drove in Stevenson with a sacrifice fly to right field to tie the game at 5-5. Jake Opitz then singled to put two runners on, and Jamar Walton doubled to score Wilson to give the Blue Crabs the lead. Michael Click then uncorked a wild pitch to give the Blue Crabs the 7-5 lead.
Camden would add one more run in the bottom of the 8th, but the Blue Crabs were able to hold on for the victory to take three of four from Camden. Wade Korpi picked up the win for Southern Maryland going 1.1 innings out of the bullpen. Jake Opitz went 3-4 in the ballgame, while Jamar Walton went 2-4 with two runs driven in.
Southern Maryland returns home for a quick three game homestand against the York Revolution. The first pitch from Regency Furniture Stadium is set for 7:05 P.M. RHP Brian Grening (2-4, 5.52) will start for the Blue Crabs, and RHP Shawn Hill (1-7, 4.84) will throw for York.
