Late Surge Fuels Crabs in 11-3 Win Over Peppers

Sikes homers twice as part of eight-run eighth inning

W: Jordan Carr (1-0)

L: Tyler Burch (1-2)

WALDORF, MD – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (27-22, 68-45) pulled away late in an 11-3 win over the Gastonia Ghost Peppers (27-23, 65-48) on Saturday night at Regency Furniture Stadium. The game was closely-contested throughout, heading into the seventh inning tied at two. The Crabs then scored nine runs between the seventh and eighth innings to earn the victory.

For a fourth straight game, Gastonia scored the game’s first run, doing so in the top of the first inning. Grant Lavigne hit an RBI double to left field, his league-leading 118th RBI of the season and his eighth run driven in this week, to give the Peppers a 1-0 lead.

After two nights of back-and-forth baseball, that trend continued in the bottom of the second inning. Carlos Rojas cracked a 398-foot two-run home run, his seventh homer of the season, to put the Blue Crabs in the lead 2-1.

Lavigne continued to torment the Blue Crabs in the top of the fifth inning after he hit an RBI single to center field to tie the game at 2-2.

Blue Crabs starting pitcher Eduardo Rivera was extremely solid in his team debut. Over 5.2 innings, he held Gastonia to just two runs. Although he allowed seven hits and six walks, he pitched out of several jams as Gastonia left nine runners on base through six innings. He picked up four strikeouts.

The teams remained tied until the bottom of the seventh inning when a wild pitch by Gastonia relief pitcher Tyler Burch brought home a run to put the Blue Crabs in the lead. The Crabs then broke the game open with eight runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Phillip Sikes launched two home runs, a 451-foot solo homer to lead off the inning and a three-run blast to cap the scoring, as the Blue Crabs pulled ahead to an 11-2 lead.

Gastonia got one run in the ninth inning on a pinch-hit RBI double by Jace Rinehart, but Blue Crabs relief pitcher Isaac Fix finished the 11-3 win for Southern Maryland.

The Blue Crabs finish their series against the Gastonia Ghost Peppers on Sunday, August 30 at Regency Furniture Stadium. First pitch is at 1:05 pm. 

Every Sunday at Regency Furniture Stadium is Family Day. After the game, kids can take the field for Kids Run the Bases, presented by Raising Cane’s, followed by player autographs for all fans. All kids participating in Kids Run the Bases will receive a certificate for a free combo meal from Raising Cane’s. The Crabs will also celebrate Fan Appreciation Day with free giveaways all game 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.