(Waldorf, MD, July 6, 2021) For the first time ever, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs hosted the Gastonia Honey Hunters on Tuesday night. Southern Maryland’s switch-hitting catcher, Joe DeLuca fueled a five run third inning, making way for a 7-3 series opening victory.
After allowing runs in each of the first two innings, Southern Maryland’s starter, Kolton Mahoney (W, 2-1) settled into a groove on his way to a quality start. The right-handed Utah native pitched six innings while allowing just three runs on four hits.
With two outs and no runners on in the bottom of the second, DeLuca drew a seven pitch walk, and after being traded to SOMD earlier in the day, Miles Williams laced a base hit to put runners on second and third. Jake Luce broke the scoring seal for Southern Maryland in the bottom of the second inning with an RBI single, but Williams was thrown out at home on a laser throw from Gastonia left-fielder, Joshua Sale.
The Blue Crabs broke the game open in the third inning, beginning with a Dario Pizzano RBI ground rule double. After David Harris and Josh McAdams each drove in a run, DeLuca hammered a two-run homer to put the Blue Crabs on top 6-2. To cap off a fantastic series opener, DeLuca doubled in the late innings and caught a runner attempting to steal second base from his knees in the fifth.
Southern Maryland’s bullpen kept the Honey Hunters’ bats silent with a trio of scoreless innings, capping off a 7-3 Blue Crabs win. The victory gives SOMD’s Hometown Team a 9-2 record in series openers, and a 20-16 record on the season. The Blue Crabs gained a half game on the idle Long Island Ducks with the win, and will put Sam Burton on the mound for Wednesday’s 6:35 PM game against the Honey Hunters.
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About the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
The Blue Crabs play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. The Blue Crabs, set to kick off their 13th season of baseball, call Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland home. For more information on the Blue Crabs, please call 301-638-9788 or visit http://www.somdbluecrabs.com for more information.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League is the first Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. ALPB has sent over 950 players to MLB organizations while drawing 42 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks over its 24-year history. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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