(Tuesday, July 11th, Lexington) The second half of the 2023 season is in full swing, and the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs were in Lexington to take on the Counter Clocks in a three-game series. The Blue Crabs headed into the series with a 1-1 record in the second half and 32-33 overall.
Philip Caulfield dug in to kick off the game, facing off against Melandy Gonzalez, and Caulfield pulled a hard grounder past Brant Broussard and to the right-center field wall. The hit for Caulfield turned into a triple, and Braxton Lee would drive him in on a fielder’s choice for his team-leading 43 RBIs.
Thomas Dillard, the ALPB home run leader, tied the game in the fourth with his 23rd blast of the year to tie the game at one apiece. Alex Crosby regained the lead in the next inning by plating Khalil Lee; the Crabs took a 2-1 lead.
With a runner on third, JC Encarnacion hit a line drive into left to tie the game. Liam O’Sullivan would only have the two runs against Lexington; he has only surrendered two earned runs in his last 14 innings.
The top of the seventh saw the Crabs load up the bases on walks with two outs; Ryan Haug faced off against the reliever Raymells Rosa. In a 2-2 count, Haug shot a line drive down the right field line, and the Crabs lead 4-2 over Lexington. Jack Sundberg scored two more with a single into center field.
Haug wasn’t done; he took a hanging breaking ball at the top of the ninth and sent it flying over the fence for his third long ball of the year. Endrys Briceno came into the game and recorded the last three outs to wrap up the game and give the win to Southern Maryland.
The series opens with a 7-2 win for the Crabs. The second game is scheduled for noon; Manager Stan Cliburn will hand the ball to Tony Dibrell after his electric performance against the Long Island Ducks. Crustacean Nation doesn’t have to miss the action, as the game will be streamed live onto FloBaseball.
About the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
The Blue Crabs play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, MLB’s Premiere Partner League. The Blue Crabs are set to kick off their 15th season of baseball at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland. For more information on the Blue Crabs, please call 301-638-9788 or visit http://www.somdbluecrabs.com for more information. For media requests, contact Steve Bowen at 301-638-9788 ext. 216 or at [email protected]
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
Celebrating its 25th Anniversary season in 2023, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. ALPB has sent over 1,200 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 45 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks throughout its 25-year history. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com