(7/29/2022, Waldorf, MD) The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs dropped the series opener against the High Point Rockers on Friday, falling 11-5. The Rockers’ bats struck early and often, chasing Mitch Lambson (L, 5-7) from the game after just five innings, allowing seven runs.
The High Point Rockers started the scoring in the second inning, when Giovanny Alfonzo drove in Quincy Latimore on a base hit to right. The Rockers tacked on another run in the second to go ahead 2-0. In the third, High Point scored three times. Ben Aklinski pulled a home run over the Mini Monster in left before Jay Gonzalez went the other way on a two-run shot, putting High Point ahead 5-0.
The homers kept flying for the Rockers. Tyler Ladendorf smashed his first home run of the game in the fourth, before Zander Wiel crushed a homer in the fifth. In the sixth, Ben Aklinski ripped a line drive to left, scoring Dakota Mulcay. By the end of the sixth inning, the Blue Crabs trailed 8-1.
Ivan Pineyro (W, 4-1) pitched six outstanding innings, allowing only one run on two hits. But he struggled in the seventh. With the bases loaded, Michael Baca struck a base hit to right, scoring two runs and cutting the deficit to 8-3. Two batters later, with runners on second and third, Jack Sundberg sliced a ball to left center, scoring Matt Hibbert and Michael Baca, trimming the Rockers’ advantage to 8-5. But that's the closest the Blue Crabs would get.
In the ninth inning, Cody Strayer ran into trouble. After a pair of singles, Tyler Ladendorf crushed his second home run of the night, giving High Point an 11-5 lead. In the ninth Cole Aker sent down the Blue Crabs in order, giving the Rockers an 11-5 victory.
Southern Maryland moves to 61-26 on the year, and 13-8 in the second half. Southern Maryland is now tied for the North Division lead in the Second Half with the Lancaster Barnstormers. Southern Maryland will be back in action tomorrow at 6:35 pm at Regency Furniture Stadium.
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About the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
The Blue Crabs play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, MLB’s premier Partner League. The Blue Crabs have kicked off their 14th season of baseball and play all home games 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 media requests, contact Austin Rooney, at 301-678-1124.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League is the first Partner League of Major League Baseball, a player gateway to the Major Leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. The ALPB has sent over 1,000 players to MLB organizations while drawing 44 million fans during its 24-year history. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.