HAGERSTOWN, MD – By virtue of their 8-3 victory Thursday night against the Hagerstown Suns, the Lakewood BlueClaws have clinched the championship in the South Atlantic League Northern Division for the first half of the season. The winner of each half of the season also earns a birth into the 2009 SAL playoffs. With a record of 40-25, the BlueClaws can not be passed in the standings with four games to play.
This is the first time the BlueClaws (40-25) have won the championship in the first half of the season, and it clinches their second trip to the playoffs in team history. In 2006 the BlueClaws had the best record in the second half of the year before winning the SAL title.
The 2009 South Atlantic League playoffs will take place shortly after the second half of the season, with the BlueClaws owning home field advantage in the opening series.