Waldorf, MD. – After beginning the season on the road for seven straight games, the Blue Crabs finally returned home to Waldorf to kick off a three-game set with their Freedom Division rival, the Lancaster Barnstormers. Lancaster spoiled Southern Maryland’s Opening Day Burch Oil Beach Bash by defeating the Blue Crabs by a score of 4-1.
Brandon Cumpton (0-2) got the start on the bump for the Blue Crabs and threw a gem in what turned out to be a pitcher’s duel. The problem with a pitcher’s duel however is that one amazing performance must be over shadowed. That’s what happened to Cumpton who allowed just three runs through six innings of work, but was handed the loss nonetheless thanks to a phenomenal outing by Barnstormer starter Jake McCasland (1-1).
Lancaster got the scoring started in the first when a Darian Sandford lead off swinging bunt netted him a base hit. A stolen base, a passed ball, and a groundout was all it took to get him home, and the Blue Crabs would never gain back the ground they lost. In the fourth inning they added another run on with a Dan Gamache home run, and one more in the fifth from a Melvin Mecedes RBI single.
All it took was a trio of miscues to give Lancaster the edge they needed in the Blue Crabs home opener, but one must not overlook Cumpton’s great outing in what will go in the books as a quality start. Southern Maryland fans did get something to write home about in the late going as Mike Falsetti blasted a homerun to left field, scoring the team’s lone run of the game. The Barnstormers struck back in the top of the ninth to provide an extra insurance run before former Blue Crab Cody Eppley (S,3) came into to seal the deal on a 4-1 Barnstormers victory.
The excitement continued after the game with a post-game firework show, and the action will keep on as opening weekend rolls on tomorrow when the Blue Crabs host Lancaster for game two of a three game series, with a 6:35 first pitch.
The Blue Crabs’ home opener is May 3rd against the Lancaster Barnstormers. To save your seat at the ballpark for the upcoming season and other team news, visit www.somdbluecrabs.com or call 301-638-9788.
About the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
The Blue Crabs play 140 regular season games in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs. The Blue Crabs call Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland home. The 12th franchise season will begin April 2019. For more information on the SOMD Blue Crabs, please call 301-638-9788 or visithttp://www.somdbluecrabs.com for more information.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
With eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history.
For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.