(New Britain, CT., Jun. 21, 2018) - The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (20-30) dropped the series finale against the New Britain Bees (24-27) 11-0.
Pitching had a stronghold on the game early, as Daryl Thompson (3-3) and Andy Van Hekken (2-5) traded scoreless innings. Neither team got anything going through the first two, before the Blue Crabs threatened in the third. A single and a stolen base from Austin Green got the first player in scoring position on the night. A groundout advanced him to third, before Van Hekken forced a groundball to shortstop and ended the inning.
The Bees offense mounted just two hits through the first four innings, before exploding in the fifth. Matt Tuiasosopo started off the inning with a line drive up the middle that hit Thompson, leading to an infield single and Thompson’s exit from the game. Alex White came on in relief of Thompson, and the New Britain took full advantage of the starter’s exit.
Jamar Walton immediately doubled, before Vinny Siena singled to score Tuiasosopo for the first run. James Skelton singled behind him to score Walton, with a sacrifice fly coming next to score Siena. Another sacrifice fly scored Skelton, emptying the bases with two outs and four runs already on the board.
A single and a walk put Deibinson Romero and Jason Rogers aboard, followed with a double from Brock Stassi to score both. Another walk put Tuiasosopo back on base, before Walton launched a three-run homerun. Walton’s sixth homerun of the season gave the Bees a 9-0 lead in the game, and ended the scoring in the inning.
After a scoreless sixth, New Britain added two more in the seventh. Stassi and Tuiasosopo got things going with a pair of singles, both moving up to scoring position on a wild pitch two batters later. Skelton came through with a two out single, scoring both baserunners to grab an 11-0 lead.
Van Hekken was strong through seven scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out four and walking none. The southpaw gave way to his bullpen in the eighth, as Jim Fuller picked up right where his starter left off. Fuller worked a quick 1-2-3 inning, before Mike Hepple came on for the ninth. Hepple allowed a walk and a single with one out in the inning, but recovered with a strikeout and fielder’s choice to finish the game. The shutout victory gave the Bees the win on the series, taking three of the four games against Southern Maryland.
The Blue Crabs return to action Friday, June 22nd for the series opener against the Somerset Patriots. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 P.M. on Friday at TD Bank Ballpark.
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.