(Waldorf, MD., Aug. 13, 2017) – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (13-23) dropped the finale against the Long Island Ducks (21-15) 5-2, finishing off the four-game sweep for the Ducks.
Eric Fornataro (0-3) was strong through his first two innings before the Ducks got to the right-hander in the third. Fornataro walked Quinton Berry to start the inning, with Berry stealing second to move into scoring position. A single from Anthony Vega moved the leadoff man to third before Vega stole second as well. Two batters later, Angelo Songco singled up the middle, scoring both runners to give Long Island a 2-0 lead.
The Blue Crabs responded with a run in the fourth off Tyler Levine (3-0). Tucker Nathans tripled with one out in the inning, his first triple of the season. Luis Alen followed with a ground-rule double, putting the Blue Crabs on the board.
After a scoreless fifth, Fornataro was pulled from the game trailing by one. Sam Runion was first out of the bullpen, picking up an out before walking Audie Afenir. Afenir was forced out a fielder’s choice, putting Dan Lyons aboard with two outs for the top of the lineup. The Ducks put the hit-and-run on with Berry at the plate, and the leadoff man took a double off the left-field wall, scoring Lyons easily from first to extend the lead to 3-1.
The Ducks added two more runs in the top of the eighth, getting to the Blue Crabs bullpen once again. Jesse Beal allowed a double to Giovanny Alfonzo on the first pitch of his appearance, putting a man in scoring position with nobody out. Two batters later, Lyons connected on a two-run homer over the Mini Monster in left, putting Long Island ahead by four runs.
Southern Maryland fought back for one in the bottom half of the inning, on a Cory Vaughn solo shot. The Ducks turned their 5-2 lead over to closer Amalio Diaz (S,9) to work the bottom of the ninth. Diaz allowed a leadoff single to Alen, before retiring the next three batters to finish off the sweep. This was the third sweep of the season for Long Island over the Blue Crabs.
The Blue Crabs return to action Monday, August 14th for the First-Half Freedom Division Championship against the Lancaster Barnstormers. Southern Maryland will send RHP Gaby Hernandez (8-3, 2.77) to the mound, with hopes of clinching a playoff berth. He will matchup with Lancaster’s RHP Brad Bergesen (9-6, 4.22). First pitch in the game scheduled for 6:35 P.M. on Monday at Regency Furniture 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.