L.I. Ducks: Defending Champs Finally Come Home

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Welcome Back!

OPENING NIGHT

York Revolution

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

Bethpage Park

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Flock Back In The Pond For First Time Since Game Two Of 2013 Championship Series.

They're back, and 3-2 on the young season.

The Long Island Ducks and their fans will be reunited again for the first time since September 26th of last year.  After taking a 2-0 lead in the 2013 championship series at Bethpage Park, the series shifted to Somerset for the final three games.  The Patriots tied the series at two with back to back extra inning victories.  The Ducks prevailed in Game Five however, to become back to back champions of the Atlantic League.

Tonight, the 15th season of Ducks baseball kicks off in earnest, with Opening Night festivities and the start of a three game series against the York Revolution.  Players from last year's team will be on hand to receive their rings, and another championship flag will be raised.

April showers have wreaked havoc on the early schedule.  Forced to play a (7 inning) double-header on Thursday, the Ducks are fresh off taking both games over the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.

Lew Ford and right fielder Fehlandt Lentini led the charge in game one towards an 11-1 final score.  Ford connected on Long Island's first home run of the season, and was 2 for 4, with 5 RBI in the game.  Lentini was 2 for 3 with 3 RBI.

Ducks starter Matt Way pitched five sterling innings, surrendered one earned run on a home run by Somerset catcher John Bowden, but otherwise allowed just two hits, walked one, and fanned 6 for the victory.

Game two was a much more closely contested affair.  Long Island's bullpen carried the day with three scoreless innings in relief of Fernando Hernandez, who pitched 4 innings, allowed one earned run on 5 hits, walked one, and fanned 2 before exiting the game on the winning side.

Keith Castillo's two run home run gave the Ducks a 2-1 lead in the 2nd inning, and Dan Lyons provided an insurance run in the 5th, with a single that drove home third baseman Sergio Miranda.

John Brownell will pitch Long Island's home opener tonight.  John pitched 6 innings in his 1st start, allowed 2 earned runs on 5 hits, walked none, and fanned 5, but was credited with a no-decision against the Somerset Patriots in their home opener on April 25th.



Mike.BTB