Ghost Peppers Best Blue Crabs in 11-9 Thriller

Both teams get 11 hits, key homer lifts Peppers late

W: Jordan Fisher (4-1)

L: Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa (2-1)

SV: Jake Miednik (4)

WALDORF, MD – The Southern Maryland Blue Carbs (26-21, 67-44) fell to the Gastonia Ghost Peppers (26-22, 64-47) in an 11-9 slugfest on Thursday night at Regency Furniture Stadium. Both teams had five-run innings early in the contest, but a late home run by Gastonia’s Jack Reinheimer proved to be the deciding blow.

The Ghost Peppers struck first for the third consecutive game, doing so in the top of the first inning. Grant Lavigne opened the scoring with an RBI single and Aaron McKeithan followed with an RBI double on the next pitch as Gastonia claimed a 2-0 lead.

The Blue Crabs found a big response in the bottom of the first inning. Jackson Loftin made it three straight days with a home run after he delivered a 389-foot three run home run, his ninth homer of the season, to give Southern Maryland a 3-2 lead.

Gastonia stayed hot at the plate in the second inning, putting up five runs. Cole Roederer had the biggest hit in the inning with a two-run double as the Ghost Peppers re-took the lead at 7-3.

Southern Maryland snapped back with five runs of their own in the bottom of the third inning, all with two outs. Danny Bautista Jr. smacked a two-run single in his first game off of the injured list. Jordan Thompson followed him with a two-run home run to left field, his fourth homer of the season. Dylan Hoy later hit an RBI single to give the Crabs the edge at 8-7.

The Peppers closed that gap again in the top of the fifth inning with an RBI groundout by Manny Garcia to tie the game. A balk by Gastonia relief pitcher Ryan Williamson in the bottom of the inning brought home another run for Southern Maryland to give them the lead back at 9-8.

The Crabs held that lead until the top of the seventh inning. In that frame, Reinheimer launched a two-run home run for Gastonia to put them back in front 10-9.

The Peppers padded their advantage in the top of the ninth inning after a run scored on a double play. Gastonia’s bullpen blanked Southern Maryland through the game’s final four innings to earn an 11-9 decision in their favor.

The Blue Crabs continue their series against the Gastonia Ghost Peppers on Friday, August 28 at Regency Furniture Stadium. First pitch is at 6:35 pm.

Kick off your weekend at the ballpark! Stick around after the game for postgame fireworks lighting up the night sky - the final firework show of the season. 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.