(Charleston, WV – June 11, 2024) – The Dirty Birds defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 4-3 in their first match-up of the season. Cristofer Ogando earned the win after throwing one inning of relief before the Dirty Birds took the lead in the sixth inning.

The Dirty Birds trailed early as the Blue Crabs scored three runs off one hit, three walks, and two hit batters. Charleston did not start answering until the fourth inning. With two outs, Philip Ervin drove in Tillman Pugh to put the Birds on the board. In the next inning, Gabriel Cancel hit his 14th home run of the season to tie up the game. In the sixth inning, Tillman Pugh hit his fourth home run for the Dirty Birds’ first lead of the contest.

The Charleston bullpen threw four scoreless innings and only allowed two hits and three walks while striking out five.

The Dirty Birds host Southern Maryland Wednesday for game two of the three-game series.  Charleston is in the middle of a nine-game home stand that ends on Thursday, June 13.