WILMINGTON, DE (6/27/26) — The Wilmington Blue Rocks fell to the Frederick Keys, 4-3, in 12 innings Saturday night at Frawley Stadium.
Wilmington dropped to 36-37 overall and 5-3 in the second half. The Blue Rocks remain third in the South Atlantic League North Division, while Frederick improved to 46-26 overall and 5-3 in the second half.
With the bases loaded and nobody out in the bottom of the 12th, Frederick closer Chandler Marsh struck out Ronny Cruz, Yeremy Cabrera and Jacob Walsh to end the game.
The Blue Rocks and Keys traded runs throughout extra innings after the game entered the 10th tied at 1-1. Wehiwa Aloy's RBI groundout in the top of the 12th proved to be the difference, giving Frederick the lead, the victory and a 3-2 series advantage.
Wilmington's offense came out swinging as No. 1 Nationals prospect Eli Willits hit his second inside-the-park home run of the season in the Blue Rocks' first at-bat. His sixth home run of the year gave Wilmington a 1-0 lead that held until the sixth inning.
"It was awesome. I got a good pitch to hit and put a good swing on it. Actually, it wasn't my first inside-the-park home run this year," Willits said. "I've already had one just like it, so it was super exciting."
Blue Rocks starter Riley Maddox kept Frederick's offense in check for much of the night, working efficiently through the Keys lineup. The right-hander allowed six hits and one run while striking out six over 5.2 innings.
Frederick finally broke through in the sixth when Colin Tuft lined an RBI double to center field, tying the game at 1-1. Maddox believed he could have finished the inning but was lifted because of a predetermined pitch count. Acting manager Mitchell Boe turned to Eiker Huizi, who recorded the final out of the frame.
"Oh yeah, definitely. But we're on a pitch count set by the higher-ups. Once I hit that number, it's my time to come out," Maddox said. "If it were a different situation, I probably would've stayed in, but that's just how it works."
Neither offense broke through again until the 10th inning, when Victor Figueroa lined an RBI double to give the Keys a 2-1 lead. Wilmington answered immediately in the bottom half as Ronny Cruz ripped an RBI double of his own to tie the game at 2-2.
Frederick reclaimed the lead in the 11th when Braylin Tavera delivered an RBI single to center field, making it 3-2. Once again, the Blue Rocks answered as Angel Feliz raced home on a wild pitch by Marsh to even the score at 3-3 and force a 12th inning.
"It's baseball. It happens. We came through in a lot of big moments tonight, and we just didn't there," Boe said. "That's part of the game. I thought our guys got their swings off. That's all you can ask."
In the top of the 12th, RJ Austin scored from third on Aloy's softly hit groundout to third base, giving Frederick a 4-3 lead.
Wilmington loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the inning but was unable to bring home either the tying or winning run as Marsh struck out the side to preserve the victory.
Willits and Cabrera led the Blue Rocks with two hits apiece. Although Wilmington managed just five hits, the offense showed patience against one of the South Atlantic League's top pitching staffs, drawing a season-high 12 walks at home.
Meanwhile, Maddox turned in one of his strongest performances of the season despite receiving a no-decision.
The Blue Rocks conclude their 12-game homestand Sunday afternoon against the Keys. First pitch at Frawley Stadium is scheduled for 1:05 p.m., with Yoel Tejeda Jr. expected to start for Wilmington.