Behind the recent performances of pitchers Brett Marshall, Jake Fisher, and a spot start by reliever Dennis O'Grady, the Ducks enter Sunday's action 2.5 games ahead of the Somerset Patriots in the Liberty Division standings with just seven games left to play.
Newly acquired Brett Marshall provided the Ducks with a sorely needed assist on Sept. 4, allowing just one run on four hits and three walks, with seven strikeouts during a six inning winning stint against New Britain. Jake Fisher then tosses a complete game victory over the Road Warriors in Friday's series opener at Bethpage Ballpark, allowing just one run on five hits, walking none and fanning three. On Saturday, making only his third start of the season, Dennis O'Grady allowed the Road Warriors two earned runs on seven hits, with no walks and a pair of strikeouts.
On Sunday the Ducks play their last home game of the regular season. After Monday's day-off, the Ducks will be in Texas, where they'll wrap up their schedule with a huge, if not decisive six game series against the Freedom Division leading Sugar Land Skeeters.
Once the Patriots conclude their series against York on Sunday, they'll only have five more games left on their docket - one less than Long Island. On Tuesday, Somerset opens a two game set against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, then get another day off on Thursday. After which the Patriots travel to York where they'll close out the regular season against the suddenly surging and defending Atlantic League champion Revolution.
With the race for a second half pennant tightening like a tourniquet, the Ducks are 5-2 thus far in September, with the Patriots hot on their trail with a 4-3 September record.
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