Solter Sizzles, But Blue Crabs Claim Pitchers Duel 

WALDORF, MD – Matt Solter tossed six sparkling innings on Thursday night at Regency Furniture Stadium, but the Staten Island bats were stifled by Blue Crabs pitching in a 1-0 loss. The teams combined for just seven hits in the series finale, with the FerryHawks stranding the tying and go-ahead runs on base in the ninth inning. 

In his second start of the season, Solter (0-1) allowed just three hits, but two came consecutively in the third inning, pushing home the game's lone tally. After a one-out triple by Jack Sundberg, Rubi Silva brought him home with an infield single to shortstop. Solter would face just one over the minimum in his final three innings on Thursday. 

The FerryHawks managed just three hits against a quintet of Blue Crabs arms, starting with Denson Hull. The left-hander logged the first four frames for Southern Maryland, coughing up just one hit with a pair of strikeouts. At one point, Hull set down nine consecutive FerryHawks. 

Patrick Baker (1-0) was the first of four Blue Crabs relievers, twirling a perfect fifth and sixth innings to earn the victory. 

Victor Capellan helped Staten Island maintain the one-run deficit in his second appearance of the season, pitching a scoreless pair of frames in relief of Solter. 

Still trailing by one in the ninth inning, the FerryHawks utilized a walk, hit by pitch, and single to load the bases with one out for Ricardo Cespedes. Former Major Leaguer Mat Latos was able to induce a 6-4-3 groundball double play to end the game and earn his second save of the season. 

Staten Island (0-6) continues its season-opening nine-game road trip on Friday night at Gastonia. FerryHawks LHP Anthony Rodriguez is slated to get the ball in the opener against Honey Hunters LHP Jerry Keel. First pitch at CaroMont Health Park is scheduled for 6:15 PM 

Postgame Notes: Kacy Clemens, Norberto Susini, and Javier Betancourt had the FerryHawks three hits, all singles...Staten Island used a season-low (2) pitchers...Angel Aguilar's hitting streak is snapped at five games...All six games have been decided by four runs or fewer...