Late Offensive Surge Powers Crabs 9-2 Win Over Rockers

Trio of three-hit games lowers Crabs' magic number to four

W: Kyle Virbitsky (5-2)

L: Justin Jarvis (1-2)

HLD: Rafi Vazquez (3)

WALDORF, MD – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (38-17) opened their six-game series against the High Point Rockers (23-32) on Tuesday night at Regency Furniture Stadium. After giving up the first two runs of the game, the Blue Crabs scored nine consecutive runs to put the game out of reach. Jackson Loftin, Danny Bautista Jr., and Ryan McCarthy each had three hits for Southern Maryland. Southern Maryland’s magic number to clinch the Atlantic League South Division for the first half is now four.

The Rockers scored in each of the first two innings of the game to take an early lead. In the top of the first inning, D.J. Burt reached on a one-out walk and he later scored on an Ivan Melendez RBI infield single. Patrick Sanchez added an RBI double in the second inning to give the Rockers a 2-0 lead.

After High Point starting pitcher Justin Jarvis struck out the side in the first inning, the Blue Crabs started to figure him out in the bottom of the second inning. Ezequiel Pagan and Bautista Jr. each had RBI singles to tie the game at 2-2.

Southern Maryland kept applying pressure on Jarvis by scoring in each of the next two innings. Loftin put the Crabs in front in the bottom of the third inning with an RBI single and McCarthy followed with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning to put the Blue Crabs in front 4-2.

Blue Crabs starting pitcher Kyle Virbitsky weathered a tough first two innings to finish a strong start. Over five innings, he allowed two runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out seven batters, his most in an outing since he struck out eight Rockers on May 2.

After Blue Crabs relief pitcher Rafi Vazquez threw two scoreless innings, the Crabs pulled away. In the seventh inning, McCarthy led off the inning with a solo home run, his fourth homer of the year. Phillip Sikes tallied an RBI double and Loftin notched an RBI single later in the frame. Viandel Pena added a two-run single in the eighth inning to extend Southern Maryland’s lead to 9-2.

The Rockers scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning on a Sanchez RBI double and Alex Dickerson RBI single, but Blue Crabs relief pitcher Ethan Bates recorded the final out of a 9-4 win for the Blue Crabs.

The Blue Crabs continue their six-game series against the High Point Rockers on Wednesday, June 24 at Regency Furniture Stadium. First pitch is at 6:35 pm.

Wednesdays at Regency Furniture Stadium are Woof Wednesdays. Enjoy Blue Crabs baseball alongside your pup with a fun, pet-friendly atmosphere all night long. 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.