L.I. Ducks: Flock suddenly zeroing in on Patriots, again

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

(17-17)

Today .500, tomorrow, the world!

Ducks lead series over Blue Crabs 2-0

I - L.I. 4; S.M. 1

II - L.I. 7; S.M. 6

III - SATURDAY

Game Three

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

Bethpage Ballpark

Long Island Ducks: General Manager Michael Pfaff's Hustle Keeping Ducks Waddling Forward.

Long Island climbing back into position to stage another meaningful showdown 

against rival Somerset Patriots.

In truth, one can still refer back to that extended late June series at Sugar Land against Skeeters as the moment Long Island's season when afoul.  They returned from that trip looking as if they'd been vacationing in the waters off the Exxon Valdez.

There was perhaps no preventing the Somerset Patriots from capturing a first half flag.  They set, and maintained a furious (league) record setting pace, but the Ducks were waddling right along with them in the Liberty Division race most of the way.

The difference became Somerset's ability to sustain, where as the Ducks could not.

Long Island has since been a shell of their former selves.  And no wonder....  The ramifications of the coinciding open season declared on the Long Island Ducks roster are still being felt today.

Minus their most prominent first half contributors, and despite enjoying a distinct advantage in the Wild Card standings, most felt negotiating the league's second half of the season would pose a monumental challenge.

Don't turn now, but look whose back!

With Friday's 10-inning, 7-5 come from behind victory over the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, the Ducks climbed back to par, with a 17-17 second half record.  They've won 4 in a row, they're 7-3 in their last 10 games, and are 9-4 in August.

Once again, they find themselves chasing the Somerset Patriots. whom rebounded from a rather poor second half start themselves.  They nevertheless regained the Liberty Division's high ground, while the Long Island Ducks are presently just 3 games off the pace.

And what a coincidence!

The Ducks and Patriots square off in a 4-game series at Somerset starting Monday.  It will also mark their final meeting of the regular season.

Mallards Gone Wild:

The Ducks owned a 10-game lead in the Wild Card standings over the Sugar Land Skeeters at the all-star break.

Their second half mission statement was simple: protect it.

Sugar Land has since fallen further behind, and now place third behind the Lancaster Barnstormers.   Last year's league champions, Lancaster trails the Ducks by 13 games.  Meanwhile, 35 games remain in the regular season.

The Ducks still own the Atlantic League second best overall record behind the Patriots.  Long Island is 63-41 this season, while the Patriots sport an impressive 70-34 record.




Mike