So. Maryland pitcher stifles Rockers

HIGH POINT, N.C – The High Point Rockers lost to the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 6-1 on Tuesday night at Truist Point. Southern Maryland starter Ian Kahaloa (W, 2-2), in his longest outing of the year, held the Rockers to five hits over his eight innings of work. Kahaloa needed just 93 pitches and retired 10 straight Rocker batters in one stretch.

Kahola struck out five and did not issue a single walk.

Matt Solter was the starting pitcher for the Rockers. He threw five innings, allowing no runs, four hits, and just one walk.

Neither team could push across a run through the first five innings. The Blue Crabs broke through in the top of the sixth inning, scoring three runs off Rockers relief pitcher A.J. Cole (L, 1-2). David Harris reached base on a fielder’s choice followed by a walk to K.C. Hobson. Isaias Quiroz then homered to left to give the Blue Crabs a 3-0 lead.

The Rockers scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning, with a home run from Michael Russell, his third of the year, cutting So. Maryland’s lead to 3-1.

Southern Maryland scored three more runs off Bryce Hensley in the ninth. Quiroz reached on single, his second hit of the night. Back to back RBI doubles from Jose Rosario and Ryan Haug plated two more runs for the Blue Crabs. Jack Sundberg drove in another with a single to left field to put the Blue Crabs up 6-1 after eight innings.

Issac Mattson came on in the ninth inning for Kahaloa to close the game for the Blue Crabs, striking out one.

This is only the third back-to-back losses for the Rockers as their record now stands at 24-11.

High Point and Southern Maryland will play game two of this three-game series on Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. at Truist Point.