STATEN ISLAND, NY— David Martinez threw seven innings of one-hit baseball Thursday night at Regency Furniture Stadium, aiding in Staten Island's 5-4 rubber-game win against Southern Maryland. Despite scoring the game's first five runs, the FerryHawks squeaked by the Blue Crabs with a one-run win after Southern Maryland's four-run eighth inning. The FerryHawks have won seven of their first nine second-half Atlantic League games. 
 
The FerryHawks supported Martinez early, scoring two first-inning runs against left-hander Nick Wells. The southpaw issued three consecutive two-out walks, loading the bases for Rusney Castillo. Playing in just his second FerryHawks game, Castillo ripped a base-hit up the middle to score a pair and give the 'Hawks a 2-0 advantage. 
 
Staten Island tacked on another run in the third inning on Dilson Herrera's sacrifice fly that plated Angel Aguilar. 
 
A three-run cushion proved plenty for Martinez (1-1), who allowed just a third-inning double to Joe DeLuca. In his third start of the season, Martinez struck out six and walked two, issuing 88 pitches in his seven scoreless frames. 
 
Wells (3-3) lasted four innings, giving up three runs on three hits with four strikeouts and four walks. 
 
The FerryHawks extended their lead in the top of the eighth inning with two insurance runs against reliever Dalton Geekie. The frame began with an Angel Aguilar walk and Ricardo Cespedes single, before Dilson Herrera struckout. With runners on the corners, Rusney Castillo supplied his third RBI with another single, plating Aguilar for a 4-0 game. Justin O'Conner's sacrifice fly would score Cespedes for a 5-0 advantage. 
 
The Blue Crabs climbed back into the game in the eighth inning, taking advantage of Martinez' absence. Joe Kuzia, who had allowed one earned run or fewer in 25 of his first 26 appearances, failed to retire the first four batters he faced. DeLuca's leadoff home run not only provided the Blue Crabs with their first run, but their second hit as well. After a Michael Baca single, Jack Sundberg double, and Mike Wielansky single, Edgardo Alfonso took the ball from Kuzia and gave it to Connor Law. An Alex Crosby fielder's choice, with two FerryHawks throwing errors, allowed a pair of runs home to cut the once 5-0 lead to 5-4. With runners on the corners and one out, Law induced a 4-6-3 double play off the bat of Braxton Lee to preserve the one-run lead.
 
Victor Capellan locked down the bottom of the ninth inning, tossing a perfect frame for his 11^thsave to give the FerryHawks the rubber game win, 5-4. 
 
Staten Island (25-49) continues its three-game road trip on Friday night at York. RHP Dakota Freese gets the ball for the FerryHawks with first pitch at PeoplesBank Park scheduled for 6:30 PM.   
 
Postgame Notes: Ricardo Cespedes extended his hitting streak to 11 games, matching a franchise record (Angel Aguilar)...Staten Island's bullpen has not allowed a run in nine of the last 10 games...Rusney Castillo has started his FerryHawks tenure (3-for-7, 3 RBI)
 
FerryHawks Motto:The Staten Island FerryHawks are a Major League Baseball partnered franchise that will play in the high-quality Atlantic League in the Spring of 2022. Our mission is to create a home for everyone in the Staten Island community and solidify a fun and exciting family experience that fans will never forget. The FerryHawks will play their home games at the newly improved baseball stadium next to the Staten Island Ferry along Richmond Terrace in Downtown Staten Island. We are excited to have you and become part of our FerryHawk Family. Please visit https://ferryhawks.com. #RallyBackStatenIsland
 
About The Atlantic League:The Atlantic League is the first Partner League of Major League Baseball, a player gateway to the Major Leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. The ALPB has sent over 1,000 players to MLB organizations while drawing 44 million fans during its 23-year history. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.