Waldorf, MD — A night after managing just one hit, the Blue Crabs pushed just one across as they fell to the Somerset Patriots by the 8-1 final.
Somerset got on the board first in the bottom of the first. With one out Aaron Eggleston walked, followed by a David Vidal single to put runners at first and third. Michael Burgess walked to the plate and drove a homerun over the wall to make it 3-0 early.
Southern Maryland got on the board in the top of the third. Fred Lewis ripped a single to center, followed by a Casey Stevenson and Zach Wilson single to load the bases. Jake Opitz then grounded into a fielder’s choice to score Lewis to make 3-1.
Somerset added a run in the bottom of the frame, and in the bottom of the seventh, added two more runs to the scoreboard. Nate Spears led things off with a single, and two pitched later stole second. Two batter later Vinny Zarrillo walked to chase Brian Baker out of the game. RHP Orlando Santos came out of the bullpen, and two batters later David Vidal laced a single to center to score Zarillo, and Spears to make it 6-1. In the bottom of the eighth, Greg Hopkins, and Robert Andino both singled. Mat Gamel then banged a single to right to score Hopkins to make it 7-1. Nate Spears then singled to score Andino to make it 8-1.
Both David Vidal, and Michael Burgess drove in three runs, while Mat Gamel, and Nate Spears each had an RBI. LHP Lucas Irvine picked up the win on the hill going six innings, allowing a run on eight hits.
Game two of the three game series will take place tomorrow at T.D. Bank Ballpark. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 P.M. LHP Matt Zielinski (6-1, 2.43) will toss for Somerset, while RHP Brian Grening (3-6, 4.93) will start for Southern Maryland.
WP: L. Irvine (5-5)
LP: B. Baker (5-6)
TIME: 2:45
