Blue Crabs Take Dramatic Series Opener Against Ducks

Posted by TBNDavid On 07/08/2017

(Waldorf, MD., Jul. 7, 2017) - The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (3-1) were victorious in game one of a three-game series against the Long Island Ducks (2-3), rallying from three runs down.

The Ducks got the scoring started early, putting up one in the first. Fehlandt Lentini led off with a single, advancing to third on a Quintin Berry single. Two batters later, Angelo Songco hit a sacrifice fly to score Lentini, opening up a 1-0 lead for Long Island.

The Blue Crabs responded immediately, tying the game in the bottom half of the inning. Jose Lozada led off with a single, stealing second on the next pitch, before advancing to third on a fly out. That set up a Zach Wilson sacrifice fly to center, easily scoring Lozada to even the score.

Daryl Thompson was strong through his next four innings of work, before running into trouble in the sixth. After picking up two outs, a single and an error put runners on the corners for Giovanny Alfonzo. Alfonzo singled in one, before a Dan Lyons double scored two more. The three unearned runs put Long Island ahead 4-1 heading to the bottom of the sixth.

The Blue Crabs fought back once again, with the heart of their lineup coming through in the inning. Zach Wilson led off with a single, before a single from Cory Vaughn and a walk to L.J. Hoes loaded the bases with one out. Zach Cone came through with a single scoring two runs and putting two men on base.in scoring position. A sacrifice fly from Luis Alen scored Hoes, tying the game 4-4.

After the bullpens traded scoreless innings in the seventh, the game was interrupted by a 43-minute rain delay. After returning, the Blue Crabs offense scored one run off Patrick Crider (0-5). Vaughn reached on a two-out error from the shortstop, advancing to scoring position on a wild pitch from Crider. Hoes picked up his second hit of the game later in the at-bat, scoring Vaughn from second to take a 5-4 lead.

Southern Maryland turned the top of the ninth over to closer Cody Eppley (S, 22). Eppley worked around a two-out single stranding Berry at second to secure the win. The win snaps a three-game losing streak against the Ducks, and moves the team to 3-1 in the second half.

The Blue Crabs return to action Saturday, July 8th, for the second game of a three-game series against the Ducks. Southern Maryland will send RHP Drew Hayes (3-3, 4.70) to the mound, looking to clinch another series victory. He will matchup with Long Island’s LHP Rafael Perez (5-4, 3.84), trying to even the series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. on Saturday 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.

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