(9/27/2022, Waldorf, MD) The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs season came to a close on Sunday afternoon in a game-five loss to the Lancaster Barnstormers, 10-2. Despite the loss, the Blue Crabs completed the best regular season in franchise history, posting numerous records.
The Blue Crabs notched a franchise record 83 wins this year along with a .633 winning percentage in the 2022 season. Southern Maryland added two victories in the playoffs as well, as they picked up wins in game one and in game three of the NDCS. Daryl Thompson pitched a gem in game one of the series while Alex Merithew also had an outstanding start in game three.
The Blue Crabs’ pitching staff led the way for much of the season. In the regular season, Daryl Thompson, Mitch Lambson and Alex Merithew all ranked in the top five in ERA in the Atlantic League among qualifiers. Southern Maryland’s starters also led the Atlantic League in walks by a large margin, walking 100 fewer batters than the second-best team.
Meanwhile, the Blue Crabs’ bats produced throughout the course of the season. David Harris led the way, hitting .322 to finish the season, while also finishing second on the team with 16 home runs. Harris only trailed Jared Walker, who blasted 17 home runs. In the second half, Jack Sundberg’s power came alive, smashing all eight of his home runs in the back half of the year, good for fourth on the team. During the second half, Sundberg also set a record for the longest on-base streak in Blue Crabs history at 34 consecutive games.
In addition, Michael Wielansky was extremely effective at the plate, hitting .278 with .852 OPS. Braxton Lee was ultimately one of the Atlantic League’s top contact hitters. Lee finished with a .306 batting average, along with an Atlantic League-leading 18 outfield assists.
In the regular season, the bullpen dominated. Endrys Briceno posted a 0.76 ERA across 47 and two-thirds innings. Briceno also compiled a 0.82 WHIP across the course of the season while striking out 73 batters. James Dykstra joined the Blue Crabs later in the season, serving in the set-up role. Dykstra did not allow an earned run throughout the regular season.
Despite falling in the postseason, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs had the best record and most wins in franchise history and the best first half in Atlantic League history.
We will see you at Regency Furniture Stadium in the spring. Let’s Go Blue Crabs!
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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.