The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs moved to 21-19 on the season after a 10-8 victory over the Gastonia Ghost Peppers in Tuesday’s series opener.
Southern Maryland fell behind early, allowing a run in the first and the third innings to go down 2-0. But in the third inning, Jamari Baylor torched a three-run blast to center field to give the Blue Crabs a 3-2 lead.
Gastonia answered back with two runs in the fourth to go in front 4-3, but between a Giovanni Digiacomo sacrifice fly and a Brett Barrera RBI single, Southern Maryland tallied a pair in the fifth to retake a 5-4 lead. The Blue Crabs allowed two in the sixth before exploding for a four-spot in the bottom of the frame.
Ethan Wilson hit a sacrifice fly before Baylor cranked another three-run home run to give Southern Maryland 9-6 lead.
Gastonia brought the game within one run after scoring in the seventh and eighth innings, but Digiacomo gave the Blue Crabs a two-run cushion with a vital RBI single in the bottom of the eighth.
Joey Hennessey earned the win after pitching in relief as Andre Scrubb recorded the final four outs to notch his fourth save of the season. Jamari Baylor had a monstrous night, going 3-for-4 with two home runs and six RBIs. In addition to Baylor, Wilson and Digiacomo had multi-hit games as well.
The Blue Crabs will look to take the series early on Wednesday night when Garrett Martin takes the mound in game two against the Ghost Peppers.