On Friday night, September 18, 2026, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs defeated the Lexington Legends 8-3 at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland, to take a two-games-to-one lead in the South Division Championship Series.
Ezequiel Pagan Gives Southern Maryland Early Lead
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs loaded the bases with two singles and a walk before an out was recorded against Lexington Legends starting pitcher Jimmy Loper. Ezequiel Pagan then hit a 413-foot grand slam to center field, giving the Blue Crabs a 4-0 lead in the first inning.
The home run was Pagan’s second of the postseason. Jackson Loftin added a 351-foot solo home run to left field in the third inning, extending Southern Maryland’s lead to 5-0.
The Lexington Legends created a scoring opportunity in the fourth inning after Curtis Terry led off with a double and Dylan Rock followed with a single to left field. Pagan got the ball back into the infield quickly, holding Terry at third and throwing out Rock as he tried to take an extra base. Kyle Virbitsky then retired the next two batters to preserve the five-run lead.
Blue Crabs Add Two More Home Runs
Phillip Sikes extended Southern Maryland’s offensive production in the fifth inning. With two outs, Sikes hit a 405-foot two-run home run, his second homer of the postseason, to make the score 7-0.
Loper took the loss after allowing seven runs on 10 hits, one walk and two strikeouts in 4.2 innings. The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs added another run in the sixth inning when Ryan McCarthy delivered an RBI single into center field.
Virbitsky and Bullpen Finish the Win
After six scoreless innings, Virbitsky allowed three runs in the seventh. The Lexington Legends opened the inning with three consecutive hits, and all three runners eventually scored to cut Southern Maryland’s lead to 8-3.
Virbitsky finished with six innings pitched, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk. Ethan Hammerberg pitched two scoreless innings in relief, and Endrys Briceno completed the win with a perfect ninth inning.
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs entered the game with a 2-1 record in the series and a 73-53 overall mark. The Lexington Legends entered with a 1-2 series record and a 66-60 overall mark.
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Set for Game Four
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs will face the Lexington Legends in Game Four of the South Division Championship Series on Saturday, September 19, at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland, is the home stadium for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, who have been members of the Atlantic League since 2008.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs’ three home runs powered the win, with Pagan’s grand slam establishing the early advantage before Loftin and Sikes added solo and two-run shots. Virbitsky’s six scoreless innings gave Southern Maryland control, while Hammerberg and Briceno completed the victory after Lexington’s three-run seventh inning.
Source: Original report
