L.I. Ducks: Flock Off To Forge New Rivalry at High Point

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Welcome to North Carolina

LIBERTY DIVISION SHOWDOWN

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

vs.

HIGH POINT ROCKERS

FROM

The Tar Heel State

Long Islands Ducks: Flock Migrate to North Carolina For First Ever Series Against High Point Rockers.

They had better be careful, too.  The new age Rockers mean business.  Like the Sugar Land Skeeters of several years back, High Point enters the league straightaway prepared to compete.  A quick glance through the early standings say it all.  The expansion Rockers trail the Ducks by a mere half game in the Liberty Division standings.  Long Island meanwhile trails the Somerset Patriots by only fractions, but otherwise enter Tuesday's action tied for first place.  However, High Point enters the upcoming series at BB&T Point with a 15-8 record and riding a six game win streak while the Ducks enter with a 16-8 mark and winners of their last two.

The series presents an opportunity for Long Island manager Wally Backman and Frank Viola to get reacquainted.  Backman and Viola worked extensively both separately and together throughout all levels of the Mets minor league system.  Viola now serves as Rockers pitching coach.

High Point leads the circuit with a .286 team average and .456 slugging average.  Meanwhile the Ducks rate second to last with a .248 average, and sixth in team slugging with a .370 mark.  However, Long Island leads the league in runs scored with High Point a close second.  The Ducks also lead the circuit in strikeouts being the first team to break the 200 mark.

Pitching wise, the Rockers rank first with a 3.15 team ERA.  The Ducks are third with a 3.39 ERA, but easily lead in strikeouts and boast the league's second best WHiP.

• Atlantic League stats