Liberty Division Showdown: Long Island Ducks Invade Somerset

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks lead series 1-0

I - LID 3; SOM 1

II - LID 6; SOM 4*

*10 innings

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Somerset Patriots

Long Island and Somerset enter Friday's game one showdown tied for first place.  Jake Fisher toes the rubber for the Ducks and is opposed by Patriots starter Liam O'Sullivan.  The two engage in a scoreless duel through five.  O'Sullivan yields no runs on just four hits and four walks with seven strikeouts through six innings.  He leaves the game on the winning side of a 1-0 game thanks to catcher Mike Ohiman's home run in the sixth off Fisher.  However, relievers Cody Mincey and Vin Mazzaro join to stop the Patriots cold.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis leads off the top of the eighth off reliever Mike Broadway with a single up the middle.  Deibinson Romero likewise reaches safely with a hit.  With one out, Hector Sanchez connects on a three run home run for a 3-1 Ducks lead.  Mazzaro pitches a scoreless bottom half of the eighth, and Enrique Burgos pitches a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts en route to earning his seventh save of the season.

With the much needed victory Long Island retakes sole control of first place, but only by a game.  The rivalry resumes Saturday evening in game two at Somerset and for game #61 of their respective seasons.  The first-half Liberty Division title hangs in the balance.

GAME TWO

Ducks    6

Patriots  4

10 innings

Three outs away from victory, the Patriots come undone.  Trailing 2-4 after eight innings, the Ducks rally for two unearned runs in the top of the ninth forcing extra innings.  In the tenth, they score two more unearned runs for their second straight victory over the Patriots at Somerset.

Darin Downs pitches well despite a no-decision.  He yields two runs on seven hits and just one walk with eight strikeouts through six innings pitched.  Patriots starter David Kubiak likewise settles for a no decision pitching eight strong innings while surrendering two runs on just four hits and one walk with five strikeouts.

With one out and the bases loaded in the ninth, Deibinson Romero grounds to short.  Patriots second baseman Rey Navarro throws away the relay while attempting a double-play.  Both Ezequiel Carrera and L.J. Mazzilli score on the play.  In the tenth, Vladimir Frias singles in the go-ahead run.  The Patriots then lend Long Island an insurance run on Rey Navarro's second error allowing Ramon Cabrera to score from third.

Reliever Michael Tonkin pitches a scoreless bottom half of the frame en route to earning his first victory of the season.

Long Island enters Sunday afternoon's match with a two game lead over the Patriots.