Somerset Stuns Southern Maryland in Series Opener
Waldorf, MD.–Southern Maryland kicked off their homestand opener by hosting the Somerset Patriots for the first of a three game set. The Blue Crabs controlled the tempo, the scoring, and mostly everything in this game. That is until Somerset flipped the game on its head, coming back to win by a final score of 6-4. The scoring got started with Blue Crabs starter Craig Stem on the mound, as the right-hander would allow one run in the top of the first from a Will Kengor swinging bunt RBI single. The good guys would strike back in the bottom of the second inning however when Charlie Valerio smacked a line drive home run, scoring two and putting the Blue Crabs ahead 2-0. The Blue Crabs kept the scoring alive in the bottom of the fourth inning when Jon Griffin sent a moonshot two run home run out of Regency Furniture Stadium, hiking the scoring tally to 4-1. Stem rolled on in a phenomenal start this evening, as he went nearly eight innings strong, allowing just four runs while striking out six. The Patriots roared back in the ballgame in the later innings, as they would plate a total of five runs over the final three innings. It really took off in the eighth, as a two-out rally turned into a pair of Patriot runs, tying the contest at 4-4. Despite a Blue Crabs leadoff single in the bottom of the eighth, Zech Zinicola (W, 3-1) stranded a pair of runners to keep the score where it was. In the top of the ninth, Somerset plated yet another pair of runs, the go-ahead and insurance runs, coming on a RBI double from Edwin Espinal , as Blue Crabs reliever Ryan Chaffee (L, 0-4) would get the loss. The Patriots came back in epic fashion to take down the Blue Crabs in the homestand opener, winning by a score of 6-4. The Blue Crabs will return home tomorrow, Saturday, May 25th to continue their seven game homestand at Regency Furniture Stadium, with the first pitch at 6:35 PM.
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 visit http://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. ###