Crabs Claw Back to Earn 7-6 Win in Extra Over Stormers

Rojas gets third walk-off hit, Crabs score six runs after the sixth inning

W: Ethan Hammerberg (3-1)

L: Billy Sullivan (0-2)

WALDORF, MD – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (14-11, 55-33) earned an improbable 6-5 win in 10 innings over the Lancaster Stormers (9-16, 44-44) on Friday night at Regency Furniture Stadium. Lancaster held a 5-1 lead after six innings and the Blue Crabs had only mustered four hits off of starting pitcher Matt Swarmer. The Crabs roared to life late, scoring three runs in the ninth inning to tie the game before Carlos Rojas delivered his third walk-off hit of the season in extra innings.

Lancaster got on the board early once again. In the top of the first inning, Corey Rosier reached on a one-out triple. Tristin English brought him in with a sacrifice fly to give the Stormers a 1-0 lead.

Both teams scored in the second inning. Lancaster loaded the bases and scored twice on a Melvin Mercedes RBI single and Rosier bases-loaded walk. Southern Maryland got one run back on a Phillip Sikes infield single that was followed by a throwing error that allowed Ezequiel Pagan to score to bring the score to 3-1 Stormers after two innings.

After a tough first two innings, Blue Crabs starting pitcher Greg Minier finished strong. He finished five innings with three runs allowed. He surrendered six hits and one walk with five strikeouts. It is the second consecutive start that Minier has finished five innings.

The Stormers tacked on two runs in the top of the sixth inning. David Smith singled and Dean Mihos doubled off of Blue Crabs relief pitcher Peyton Cariaco to create a scoring chance. A fielding error by Brody Fahr allowed both runners to score to extend Lancaster’s lead to 5-1.

Southern Maryland only found one run in response until the ninth inning. That run came on a seventh inning RBI double by Taylor Darden in his return to the team after over a month in the New York Mets organization.

The Blue Crabs then rallied in the bottom of the ninth inning. Pagan worked a walk against Lancaster relief pitcher Lenny Torres to start the rally. He later scored on a groundball to third base by Sikes that resulted in a fielding error by Lancaster’s Jalen Battles. The Crabs then loaded the bases against Lancaster relief pitcher Lenny Torres before he was relieved by Billy Sullivan. Rojas lifted a sacrifice fly before Jackson Loftin reached on an RBI infield single to tie the game at 5-5 and force extra innings.

Lancaster scored the placed runner in the top of the 10th inning with a sacrifice fly by Lucky against Blue Crabs relief pitcher Ethan Hammerberg. Southern Maryland stayed hot in the bottom of the inning. Ethan Wilson tied the game and extended his hitting streak to 18 games with an RBI single into right field. Sullivan struck out the next two batters, but Rojas then came through with a game-winning RBI single to left field, his third walk-off hit in two weeks, to give the Blue Crabs a 6-5 win.

The Blue Crabs continue their six-game series against the Lancaster Stormers on Saturday, August 1 at Regency Furniture Stadium. First pitch is at 6:35 pm. The Blue Crabs will be hosting Irish Heritage Night featuring a special on-field performance from fiddler Kaitlyn Margaret. To purchase tickets, click here.

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs have been proud members of the Atlantic League since 2008, the fourth-longest tenured team in the league. With a proud tradition of success on and off the field, many players have found a home while playing in front of Crustacean Nation, the nickname for the Blue Crabs’ avid fanbase. A host of former Major Leaguers have played for the Blue Crabs, including Chien-Ming Wang, Pat Mahomes Sr., and team legend Daryl Thompson. Many players have also made it to the Major Leagues after playing with Southern Maryland, including Isaac Mattson of the Pittsburgh Pirates. 2026 marks the 18th season of Blue Crabs baseball at Regency Furniture Stadium, where Clawsome Times Await.