(Lancaster, PA., Sep. 9, 2017) – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (27-36) took game two of the series against the Lancaster Barnstormers (34-29) 10-7, evening the series at one game apiece.
Both teams threatened in the first, as each team loaded the bases with two outs in the inning but neither could capitalize on the scoring opportunities. The Blue Crabs turned that around in the second, exploding for five runs in the inning. Tucker Nathans walked to lead off the inning, moving up to second two batters later on a single from Ryan Wiggins. Jose Lozada doubled to allow both men to cross, opening the scoring in the game. After an Edwin Garcia single, Nate Samson picked up one of his own, scoring Lozada from third. After a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position, a two-out single from Devon Rodriguez scored both, giving Southern Maryland a 5-0 lead early in the night.
The Barnstormers fought back however, scoring six runs with two outs in the bottom of the third off Brian Grening (9-7). Cole Garner singled with one out to start the rally, before Grening forced a popup for out number two. Back-to-back singles followed that, scoring Garner for the first Lancaster run of the game. Nate Coronado doubled behind that, scoring Trayvon Robinson and Steve Clevenger. After a walk to Lance Zawadzki puts runners on the corners, a three-run homerun off the bat of Josh Bell put the Barnstormers ahead 6-5.
Joe Gardner (2-4) went back to the mound and immediately gave the lead right back to Southern Maryland. Lozada led off the inning with a single, stealing second before a groundout from Garcia moved him up to third. Another single from Samson allowed Lozada to easily score from third, tying the game at 6-6. Samson moved into scoring position with the second stolen base of the inning, before coming around to score on a two-out single from Rodriguez, retaking the lead in the game.
Grening settled in after the third, working two scoreless innings to finish his night. The Blue Crabs gave their starter some insurance after his exit, putting up three runs on the Barnstormers bullpen in the top of the sixth. Michael Snyder singled to start the rally, before back-to-back walks to Rodriguez and Cory Vaughn loaded the bases with one out in the inning. Nathans came up next, working the count full before coming through with a double, clearing the bases to put the Blue Crabs ahead 10-6.
The Blue Crabs bullpen came on looking to secure the new four-run advantage, but Lancaster fought back in the bottom of the sixth. Rob Carson was first out of the pen, walking Bell to start the inning, with Darian Sandford singling behind him. Beau Amaral double to score Bell, putting runners on second and third with still nobody out in the inning. Carson was then lifted in favor of Sam Runion, who picked up a strikeout and a shallow flyout to slow down the Barnstormers momentum. Runion then walked Robinson to load the bases, before getting another flyout to strand all three runners and escape the inning holding a 10-7 lead.
Pitching finally settled in from there, as the bullpens traded scoreless seventh and eighth innings to take the three-run difference into the ninth. After a scoreless top of the ninth, Southern Maryland turned the bottom half of the inning to closer Cody Eppley (S,31). Eppley worked a quick 1-2-3 inning, securing the 10-7 win to even up the series.
The Blue Crabs return to action Sunday, September 10th for the series finale of the three-game series against the Barnstormers. Southern Maryland will send LHP David Russo (1-3, 5.64) to the mound, looking to finish the series on a win. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 P.M. on Sunday at Clipper Magazine Stadium.
For more information on the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, or to reserve your seat today for any of the Blue Crabs upcoming home games, please visit our website at somdbluecrabs.com or call us at 301-638-9788.