WALDORF, Md. – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs defeated the York Revolution 16-7 Wednesday night at Regency Furniture Stadium behind Taylor Darden’s four hits and four RBI. Every player in the Southern Maryland lineup recorded at least one hit in the Atlantic League victory.
Southern Maryland entered the game with records of 32-27 and 73-49, while York held records of 39-20 and 74-48. The loss dropped the Revolution a half-game out of a playoff spot with four games remaining.
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Build Early Lead
Both teams put their first two batters on base in the opening inning. York stranded its runners after Southern Maryland starting pitcher Anthony Borrero worked out of the threat, while York starter Rhett Kouba allowed the Blue Crabs to take a 2-0 lead.
Phillip Sikes lifted a sacrifice fly before Ethan Wilson delivered an RBI single. Danny Bautista Jr. added a two-run double in the second inning, and Darden followed with an RBI double to extend Southern Maryland’s advantage to 5-0.
York’s Jacob Teter hit a two-run home run in the third inning, but Jordan Thompson answered with a 392-foot two-run homer for Southern Maryland. Thompson’s blast restored the Blue Crabs’ five-run lead at 7-2.
Jackson Loftin Sets Southern Maryland Franchise Record
Jackson Loftin set the Southern Maryland franchise record with his 99th career stolen base for the Blue Crabs in the third inning. He stole two more bases later in the game and finished with three steals, bringing his Southern Maryland career total to 101.
Devonte Brown hit a two-run home run for York in the fourth inning, but Southern Maryland responded with seven runs in the bottom half. Sikes, Stephen Paolini and Loftin each recorded two RBI in the inning as the Blue Crabs expanded their lead to 14-4.
The Revolution scored three times in the fifth inning. Teter hit a two-run double and Shed Long Jr. added an RBI single, cutting Southern Maryland’s lead to 14-7.
Taylor Darden Delivers Final Home Run
Darden ended the scoring with a 382-foot two-run home run in the sixth inning. The home run was his 11th of the season and gave the Blue Crabs a 16-7 lead.
Darden finished with four hits and four RBI, while all nine Southern Maryland players recorded at least one hit. Donovan Burke earned the win and improved to 1-1, while Rhett Kouba took the loss and fell to 9-6.
Burke, Adam Bogosian, Peyton Cariaco and Garrett Ouellette combined for 4.2 scoreless innings out of the Southern Maryland bullpen to finish the victory.
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Prepare for Series Finale
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs are scheduled to finish their three-game series against the York Revolution on Thursday, September 10, at Regency Furniture Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
The game will include Thirsty Thursday promotions and Noche Latina during the regular-season home finale. The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs have been members of the Atlantic League since 2008.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs received contributions throughout the lineup in the 16-7 win. Darden led the offense with four hits and four RBI, while Loftin added three stolen bases and set the franchise career record.
Southern Maryland responded to York’s rallies with a seven-run fourth inning and Darden’s two-run homer in the sixth. The bullpen then completed the victory with 4.2 scoreless innings.
Source: Original report
