Four in a row: Rockers topple Blue Crabs, 7-2

WALDORF, Md. – High Point broke out of a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning with four runs and went on to win their fourth straight game by defeating Southern Maryland 7-2 on Sunday afternoon at Regency Furniture Stadium.

The Rockers improved to 33-21 in the second half of the season and 74-73 overall. The Rockers have tied the club record for wins in a season with 74, matching the mark set by the 2019 club.

The Blue Crabs tallied first, reaching Rockers’ starter Jheyson Manzueta (W, 6-2) for a single run in the second. Jimmy Kerrigan started the inning with a double and then took third on a ground out to second. Joe Deluca singled to right as Kerrigan came home with the game’s first run.

It didn’t take long for the Rockers to retaliate. In the top of the fifth, Quincy Latimore beat out an infield grounder to third. With one out, Diego Goris singled to center as Latimore advanced to second. D.J. Burt then blooped a single to right, allowing Latimore to score the tying run.

Manzueta left after the sixth with the game tied 1-1, having allowed seven hits but just one run while walking one and striking out three.

In the top of the seventh, Latimore led off with a walk from Southern Maryland starter Spencer Johnston (L, 6-5). Latimore then stole second before Michael Martinez grounded to third, allowing Latimore to move to third. Reliever Andre Scrubb came on and walked Diego Goris but Latimore was able to score the go-ahead run on a wild pitch with Martinez moving to second. Burt then singled to right to score Martinez for a 3-1 Rockers advantage. With Burt on third, Goris stole second and an errant throw into the outfield by Blue Crab catcher Deluca brought Burt home to score to a 4-1 High Point lead.

So. Maryland threatened in the seventh off reliever Cam Bedrosian, putting runners on first and second with one out. But Khalil Lee sent a sharp grounder to third where Goris was able to make a backhand stab, step on third and fire to first for an inning-ending double play.

High Point added insurance runs in the eighth. Consecutive walks to Beau Taylor and Latimore preceded an RBI single by Goris. Blue Crab reliever Jacob Gilliland would load the bases before he was replaced by Jim Fuller who walked Daikan Yoh to force in a second run and give the Rockers a 7-1 lead. Jameson McGrane retired the Blue Crabs in order in the eighth.

K.C. Hobson powered his 19th homer of the year for the Blue Crabs in the bottom of the ninth off Taylor Guerrieri to make it a 7-2 game.

Latimore finished the game with a team-high two RBI while adding a pair of hits and two runs scored. Martinez, Goris and Burt each had two hits for the Rockers. Braxton Lee and Joe Deluca led So. Maryland with three hits apiece.

The Rockers will play the Blue Crabs at 12:05 p.m. on Monday to make-up the game that was postponed due to rain on Saturday night. After that, High Point will head to York to start a three-game series with the Revolution. Monday’s game, as well as all Rockers games, are streamed live on FLO Baseball and also available on the Mixlr app.