Long Island Ducks Force Decisive Game Five at Sugar Land

From the desk of: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Series Tied; 2-2

I - LID 7; SLS 5

II - SLS 7; LID 0

III - SLS 7; LID 5

IV - LIC 3; SLS 2

ATLANTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME FIVE

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Sugar Land Skeeters

FROM

LONE STAR STATE

The Atlantic League championship series is now a one game affair to be decided Sunday evening at Constellation Field.

After two straight losses, manager Wally Backman tasks Brandon Beachy with staving off elimination.  He is opposed by Sugar Land starter Chase De John.

Seeking out a third straight victory, the Skeeters waste no time mounting an opening rally.  After consecutive hits leading off the first, designated hitter Denis Phipps clears the bases with a triple for an abrupt 2-0 lead.  Undeterred Long Island recovers a run in the third on hits from Deibinson Romero, Vladimir Frias, and D'Arby Myers.  The Skeeter maintain their slim one run edge until L.J. Mazzilli doubles leading off the sixth, then scores on David Washington's two out line drive single to right.

After a well pitched duel, both starters exit to no decisions.  Chase De John yields two earned runs on eight hits and no walks with four strikeouts through 5.2 innings pitched.  Brandon Beachy likewise allows two earned runs on six hits with one walk and seven strikeouts through six full.  He faces 25 batters, while throwing 88 pitches with 59 (67%) going for strikes.  Three Skeeters relievers join to hurl 3.1 scoreless innings through the ninth.  Joe Iorio matches them with three scoreless innings of no-hit ball and three strikeouts.

And into extra innings they go at Sugar Land ...

With reliever Josh Martin summoned to pitch the tenth, L.J. Mazzilli strokes a one out single, then steals second base.  Hector Sanchez reaches safely on a fielder's choice when Josh Martin fields a come-backer but botches the throw.  With runners on the corners Deibinson Romero's sac-fly to center plates Mazzilli with the go-ahead run.  Wally Backman hands of to Cody Mincey whom fans his first two batters and induces a pop out to first base ending the game.  Joe Iorio earns the victory, while Mincey secures his second save of the series.

For s second straight season, the Long Island Ducks and Sugar Land Skeeters push the championship series to a fifth and deciding game.

• ATLANTIC LEAGUE