Crabs Rev It Up From Behind

By Atlantic League Independent Wire Services on July 13, 2008

WALDORF, MD – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, winning Saturday night in front of a crowd of 4,471 members of Crustacean Nation with a thrilling come-from-behind effort. The win pushes the Blue Crabs to 4-1 in the second half of the season, giving them the early lead in the Liberty Division.

Southern Maryland appeared to be down and out heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. Despite yet another great outing from the starting pitching, York held a 5-3 lead heading into the final frame. Keith Ramsey, who pitched six innings of one-run baseball with five strikeouts, lost his chance at a victory when the Revolution scored two runs in the top of the eighth to put themselves ahead.

Clinton Johnston would lead off that inning with a double, and after a single by Jeremy Owens the first baseman was able to score on an RBI grounder from James Shanks. York was content to allow Johnston to score for the chance at a double play, but former Red Sox third baseman Shea Hillenbrand hurled the ball into right field. The end result was runners on second and third with zero outs and Chris Maples at the plate.

Maples wasted no time, putting the first pitch he saw into the outfield for the game-tying single. Jeremy Owens crossed the plate on the play, scoring his second run of the game. It appeared as if George Sandel would be the hero following an intentional walk to Adam Shorsher. The all-star shortstop smacked the ball to right field, and Shanks attempted to tag on the play. A perfect throw by right fielder Jason Aspito shocked the home crowd, however, as Shanks was called out on a close play at the plate.

The Blue Crabs and Revolution would battle through two more innings before the bottom of the eleventh rolled around, and Johnston again came through in the clutch. Following a double by third baseman Patrick Osborn, who ended the game with three hits in six at bats, Johnston strode to the plate and calmly rifled a single to the outfield. Shanks would come up two batters later, and a poke single to right was all the home team would need as Osborn came home to score the winning run.

York and Southern Maryland will wrap up their three game series tomorrow night as the Blue Crabs look for the sweep. First pitch will be at a special time of 6:35, with fireworks scheduled to follow.

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