Just in the 'Nick' of Time
Published on August 21, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release
Waldorf, MD - Nick Green tossed a season-high eight innings of one-run ball as the Blue Crabs completed a three-game sweep of the Lancaster Barnstormers 6-1 at Regency Furniture Stadium in front of 2,074 fans.
The Barnstormers struck first by plating an unearned run in the third. With runners at first and third with one out, centerfielder Adam Calderone hit a grounder that was misplayed by Blue Crabs first baseman Casey Benjamin, which allowed for shortstop Iggy Suarez to score from third and give Lancaster a 1-0 lead.
Southern Maryland would take the lead in the fifth as shortstop Bridger Hunt (2) blasted a two-run homer to left-centerfield to give the Blue Crabs a 2-1 lead.
Ironically, Hunt was not scheduled to start the game before a last-minute change put him in the lineup.
The Blue Crabs added single insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Third baseman Travis Garcia (13) belted a solo homer to left-centerfield in the sixth, while Brandon Pinckney came through with a two-out RBI single in the seventh to increase the Blue Crabs' lead to 4-1.
Southern Maryland topped things off in the eighth as Benjamin (11) went deep to left-centerfield for a two-run homer to give the Blue Crabs their final advantage of 6-1.
But the story of the game was Green as he fired a season-high eight innings while allowing the one unearned run on eight hits. He walked none and struck out four to move to 8-5 on the season with the win.
Taking the loss for the Barnstormers was former Blue Crab John Halama (5-5) who allowed four runs on 11 hits in seven innings of work. He also walked none as their were no walks recorded by either team in the game.
Offensively, the Blue Crabs pounded out 13 hits including two each from Hunt, Benjamin, Garcia, centerfielder Adam Godwin, and right fielder Ben Harrison. Garcia and Benjamin each had a double to go along with their homers, while Hunt added a single to his homer as well. Harrison also doubled as he went 2-4.
Lancaster had eight hits, two each coming from Calderone, shortstop Iggy Suarez, and catcher Matt Tupman. Calderone also had two stolen bases for the game, while Tupman singled and doubled in his performance.
With the sweep, the Blue Crabs finished with an undefeated home stand for the third time this season. Southern Maryland had a 6-0 home stand June 7th-12th against Bridgeport and York, to go along with a 4-0 home stand August 10th-12th against the Road Warriors and Camden.
The win was also Southern Maryland's eighth-straight at home dating back to August 5th.
For the series, the Blue Crabs held the league's second best offense to four runs over the series' three games.
The Blue Crabs now hit the road for a big six-game road trip beginning at the Long Island Ducks on Monday at 7:05. The Blue Crabs will send right-hander Virgil Vasquez (7-6, 4.59 ERA) to the hill against fellow-righty Mike Loree (14-3, 1.79 ERA) for the Ducks. The game can be heard on www.somdbluecrabs.com.
Atlantic League Stories from August 21, 2011
- Barnstormers Iced By Green - Lancaster Stormers
- Bluefish Beat the Rain and the Patriots - Somerset Patriots
- Just in the 'Nick' of Time - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- York Vs. Road Warriors Postponed - York Revolution
- Riversharks Sweep Ducks - Camden Riversharks
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