L.I. Ducks: Home Sweep Home

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks sweep series 3-0

I - LID 11; SOM 5

II - LID 2; SOM 1

III - LID 6; SOM 4

Long Island Ducks: Flock Closes Within Two Games of First Place Somerset Patriots.

Backed by home runs from David Washington, Cody Puckett, and Daniel Fields, the Long Island Ducks power past the Somerset Patriots in Wednesday's series finale at Bethpage Ballpark, thus completing a three game sweep of the Liberty Division leaders.

The Ducks inflict all their damage against Patriots starter Duane Bellow, who allows six earned runs on twelve hits, a walk, and strikes out three.

David Washington stakes starter Tyler Badamo and the Ducks to an early 1-0 lead in the second with his team leading 13th home run of the season.  After the Patriots tie the game in the top of the fifth, Cody Puckett homers with one on in the bottom of the frame for a 3-1 Ducks lead.  An inning later, Daniel Fields increases their lead to 5-2 upon hitting his fifth home run of the season (Taylor Ard scores).

After trading runs in the seventh, Somerset threatens with two runs in the top of the ninth, but would score no more.  Francisco Rodriguez is called upon to record the final out, and converts for his 19th save of the season.

Making his sixth start for Long Island, Tyler Badamo (who this season also pitched for Sugar Land and New Britain) allows just one earned run on eight hits, no walks, and strikes out three over six innings pitched en route to his third victory against two losses.

With Wednesday's 6-4 victory, the Ducks improve to 13-8 in the second half, and close within two games of the division leading Somerset Patriots.