Crabs Club 3 Homers in 8-3 Win over Legends in Game 3

Pagan slam, Virbitsky quality start key as Crabs take series lead

W: Kyle Virbitsky (1-0)

L: Jimmy Loper (0-1)

WALDORF, MD – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (2-1, 73-53) slugged three home runs in an 8-3 win over the Lexington Legends (1-2, 66-60) in Game Three of the South Division Championship Series on Friday night at Regency Furniture Stadium. The Blue Crabs take the series lead, two games to one. Ezequiel Pagan set the tone early with a first inning grand slam while Kyle Virbitsky started his night with six scoreless innings to give the Crabs control of the game.

The Blue Crabs wasted no time getting going on offense. Two singles and a walk issued by Lexington starting pitcher loaded the bases before an out was recorded. Pagan then smacked a 413-foot home run to center field, his second homer of the postseason, to give Southern Maryland a 4-0 lead after the first inning.

Jackson Loftin kept the power coming in the third inning. He lifted a 351-foot solo home run to left field, his second homer of the postseason, to extend the Blue Crabs’ lead to 5-0.

The Legends had a chance to answer in the top of the fourth inning after Curtis Terry led off the frame with a double. After a single to left field by Dylan Rock, Pagan got the ball into the infield quickly to hold Terry at third while also throwing out Rock looking to leg out extra bases. Virbitsky then retired the next two batters to hold Southern Maryland’s five-run lead.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, it was Phillip Sikes’ turn to leave the ballpark. With two outs, he crushed a 405-foot two-run home run, his second homer of the postseason, to stretch the Blue Crabs’ lead to 7-0.

The Blue Crabs jumped on Lexington starting pitcher Jimmy Loper, tagging him for three home runs. Over 4.2 innings pitched, he allowed seven runs on 10 hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

Southern Maryland continued to add on in the sixth inning. Ryan McCarthy smacked an RBI single into center field to put the Crabs up by eight runs.

After cruising for six innings, Virbitsky ran into trouble in the seventh inning as Lexington started the inning with three straight hits. All three would eventually score to get the Legends back in the game with the score at 8-3.

The seventh inning stained what was otherwise a sensational outing by Virbitsky as it started with six shutout innings. He finished his night with six innings complete, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk.

The Blue Crabs bullpen finished the remainder of the game, keeping the Legends off the board. Ethan Hammerberg fired two scoreless innings before Endrys Briceno pitched a perfect ninth inning to finish an 8-3 win for the Blue Crabs.

The Blue Crabs continue the South Division Championship Series against the Lexington Legends with Game Four on Saturday, September 19 at Regency Furniture Stadium. First pitch is at 6:35 pm. 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.