The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs defeated the Gastonia Ghost Peppers 13-3 Tuesday night at Regency Furniture Stadium as Jackson Loftin hit a grand slam in a three-home-run performance. Southern Maryland collected 12 hits, and eight players in its starting lineup reached base safely.
The win moved the Blue Crabs to 25-19 in the second half and 66-41 overall. Gastonia entered the game with a 24-21 second-half record and a 62-46 overall mark.
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Build Early Lead
The Blue Crabs scored five runs in the second inning. Jordan Thompson opened the scoring with an RBI double. Carlos Rojas followed with a sacrifice fly, and Alejandro De Aza added an RBI single.
Taylor Darden capped the rally with a two-run home run to left-center field, his 10th homer of the season. The blast gave Southern Maryland a 5-0 lead.
Grant Lavigne drove in Gastonia27s first run with an RBI double in the third inning. Jack Reinheimer added an RBI single in the fourth. However, the Blue Crabs answered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning.
De Aza drove in another run with an RBI double off the center-field wall, and Darden followed with an RBI single. Phillip Sikes then hit a 382-foot solo home run in the fifth inning, his team-leading 18th homer of the season, to give Southern Maryland an 8-2 lead.
Jackson Loftin27s Grand Slam Breaks Open the Game
Southern Maryland starting pitcher Kyle Virbitsky worked five innings, allowing two runs on three hits and five walks. He struck out three batters, earned the win and improved to 10-7.
Gastonia cut the deficit to 8-3 in the sixth inning after Chris Proctor reached on a triple and Reinheimer drove him in with an RBI single. The Ghost Peppers loaded the bases with two outs, but Southern Maryland relief pitcher Isaac Fix struck out Lavigne to preserve the five-run lead.
The Blue Crabs scored five more runs in the bottom of the sixth. Loftin hit a grand slam to left field for his seventh home run of the season, extending Southern Maryland27s advantage to 13-3.
The Southern Maryland bullpen held Gastonia scoreless after the sixth inning to complete the victory. Nick Horvath took the loss for the Ghost Peppers and fell to 7-3.
Upcoming Doubleheader Against Gastonia Ghost Peppers
The Blue Crabs are scheduled to continue the series with a doubleheader against the Gastonia Ghost Peppers on Wednesday, August 26, at Regency Furniture Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 4:35 p.m.
The games are identified as Woof Wednesdays, a pet-friendly event at Regency Furniture Stadium. The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs have been members of the Atlantic League since 2008.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Southern Maryland received contributions throughout its lineup and three home runs from Loftin, Darden and Sikes. The Blue Crabs also protected their lead after Gastonia loaded the bases in the sixth inning, then added five runs in the bottom half to finish the 13-3 win.
Source: Original report
