L.I. Ducks: Bobby Blevins Pitches Gem In Somerset

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Bobby Blevins Fans Eight, And Plunks A Pair, In Dominant Performance Over Somerset Patriots.  Webbed Nine Win First, Avoid Sweep.

Starting pitcher Bobby Blevins turned in an exceptional day's work Sunday afternoon, in helping the Ducks gain their first victory of the season, and just as important, avoid an opening series sweep against the hosting Somerset Patriots.

Bobby Blevins surrendered his only hit of the game in the first inning, but a pair of errors gave the Patriots an early 1-0 lead.  From the end of the 1st inning however, through the 6th inning, he retired 16 straight batters.

After hitting the first two batters he faced in bottom of the 7th, Coach Baez made a move to the bullpen, and brought in reliever Jereny Accardo.  A double, and a 4-3 put-out later turned this into a 4-3 game, still in the Ducks favor.  Both runs were charged to Blevins.  That would be the last of Somerset's scoring though.

Otherwise, Bobby Blevins pitched 6 full innings, allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on just one hit, no walks, and struck out 8 batters to earn his first victory of the season.  He faced 22 batters, and threw 88 pitchers, with a very efficient 60 (68%) going for strikes.

The bullpen combined on 3 scoreless innings, and closer Leo Rosales recorded his first save.

Long Island used 8 hits, and 3 walks against Patriots pitching to mount a 6-3 victory.  Joash Brodin and Cody Puckett led the Ducks with 2 RBI each.  Ryan Strieby also drove in a run, while one Ducks run was unearned.  Brodin was 2/4 at the plate, while Puckett posted a 3/4 day.

The Ducks will now migrate to Southern Maryland for a three game series against the Blue Crabs before finally heading back to Long Island, for their opening day on May 2nd.



Mike.BTB