L.I. Ducks: Somerset Patriots Complete Sweep

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Patriots sweep series over Ducks 3-0

I - SOM 8; LID 3

II - SOM 6; LID 4

III SOM 12; LID 9

Long Island Ducks: Hit the Road, Flock.

After going just 2-4 during this last home stand, and getting swept by the Somerset Patriots, perhaps a road trip is just what the veterinarian ordered.  The Ducks play seven games at the Lancaster Barnstormers and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs this week before returning home to face the Patriots again next Monday back at the Pond.

Long Island failed to protect a 9-5 fourth inning lead in Sunday's series finale, and instead were outdone 12-9 by the Somerset Patriots, who extend their first place lead over Long Island to four games.  The Ducks are now just 3-9 this season against the Patriots.

• What a difference health makes.  The ageless Lew Ford was 3 for 5 with three runs scored, a home run, and five RBI.  He is batting .294 through 73 games 282 at-bats, with seven home runs and 53 RBI (fifth most in Atlantic League).  Last season he was limited to just 76 games and 294 at-bats all season, batting .269 with nine home runs and only 31 RBI.

• Jordany Valdespin, who was ejected from Sunday's game, leads the Atlantic League with a .361 batting average.

• The Somerset Patriots are the first team in the second half to achieve ten victories, while the Ducks fall to par with a 6-6 record, and a sub par 36-39 record overall.

Monday

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Lancaster Barnstormers

With identical 6-6 records, the Ducks and New Britain Bees enter Monday's action locked in a tie for second place in the Liberty Division, four games behind the Somerset Patriots.  Despite finishing the first half thirteen games over .500, Lancaster placed second behind the Sugar Land Skeeters in the Freedom Division.  The Barnstormers are off to a slow second half start, entering Monday's series opener with a 5-6 record.