The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs fell behind early and lost 6-4 to the Long Island Ducks in Game One of the Atlantic League Championship Series in Waldorf, Maryland, despite a late fourth-inning rally. The Blue Crabs managed just four hits before their strong ninth-inning surge.
Long Island Builds a 6-0 Lead in Atlantic League Championship Series Game One
The Long Island Ducks scored twice in the third inning after an error and a walk put two runners on base. Wilmer Difo drove in a run with a groundout, and Jacob Robson followed with an RBI single to give Long Island a 2-0 lead.
The Ducks added a run in the sixth inning when Marcus Chiu delivered an RBI single after consecutive walks. Chiu and Alsander Womack added RBI singles during a three-run eighth inning, extending Long Island’s advantage to 6-0.
Long Island starting pitcher Tanner Jacobson worked four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and one walk with three strikeouts. Jacob Asa earned the win for the Ducks, while Ramon Santos recorded his third save.
Blue Crabs Rally in the Ninth in Atlantic League Championship Series Game One
Southern Maryland starter Ian Kahaloa allowed three runs, one earned, on three hits and four walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out two batters, but the Blue Crabs remained scoreless through his outing.
The Blue Crabs opened the ninth inning with three consecutive doubles against Long Island relief pitcher Ryan Langford. Phillip Sikes and Danny Bautista Jr. drove in runs with doubles, and Jordan Thompson followed with a two-run home run to left field, his first of the postseason, cutting the deficit to 6-4.
Ramon Santos entered for Long Island and issued a two-out walk to Alejandro De Aza. De Aza was later caught stealing, ending Southern Maryland’s comeback attempt.
Game Two Scheduled for Thursday, September 25, at 3:05 p.m. at Regency Furniture Stadium
Game Two of the Atlantic League Championship Series is scheduled for Thursday, September 25, at 3:05 p.m. at Regency Furniture Stadium. The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs will face the Long Island Ducks in the second game of the series.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs could not generate offense through the first eight innings but turned Game One into a competitive finish with four ninth-inning runs. The late rally narrowed a six-run deficit, but Long Island held on for the 6-4 victory.
Source: Original report
