L.I. Ducks Clinch 2019 First-Half Liberty Division Flag

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

FIRST-HALF

LIBERTY DIVISION CHAMPIONS

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

Despite losing game two of their weekend series against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs at Bethpage Ballpark, the Long Island Ducks emerge as this season's first-half Liberty Division champion.  The Flock close out Saturday's action with a league best 42-26 (.618) record and a 1.5 game lead over the Patriots.  Long Island has two games in hand and own the tie-breaker over Somerset, whom only have one game in hand.  The High Point Rockers 3-2 victory over Somerset at North Carolina on Saturday essentially clears Long Island's way.

I'm more impressed than surprised by what the Ducks have thus far accomplished.  Long Island this season has had upwards of nine pitchers pilfered from their staff by MLB organizations - good pitchers too - and therefore I'm thinking they'd be in big trouble as early as mid May.

Instead, Darin Downs posts a 3.08 ERA through ten starts and 49.2 innings.  Joe Irorio chips in with nine starts with a 3.08 ERA through 61.1 overall innings pitched.  Bennett Parry owns a 3.38 ERA through five starts and 26.2 innings pitched.  However Jake Fisher has struggled this season posting a  4-6 record with an unsightly 4.99 ERA.  Which leads me to ask where would the Ducks be without Travis Banwart?  He has been a godsend posting a 3-1 record with a 1.91 ERA through 37.2 innings and an 0.96 WHiP since joining the Ducks.

The (first-half) Ducks are just one of three teams with a staff ERA below four.  Their 3.94 ERA is third behind Somerset's league leading 3.26 mark.  Long Island also places third with a 1.30 WHiP.  The Ducks and Patriots finish first and second respectively in strikeouts.  But Somerset leads the circuit with 31 saves with the Ducks second with 21 saves.

• Ducks Slash: .252/.324/.403/.727, with 64 home runs, 310 runs scored, and 58 stolen bases.
• Patriots Slash: .264/.337/.374/.711, with 38 home runs, 290 runs scored, and 65 stolen bases. 

David Washington leads the Ducks with 18 home runs and 47 RBI, not to mention a team high 13 stolen bases.  Kirk Nieuwenhuis is second with 11 home runs and 41 RBI.  L.J. Mazzilli is batting .283 and leads the team with 18 doubles.

• Steve Lombardozzi is presently injured.
• Local kid from Bronx and former Mets infielder J.T. Rivera joins the Ducks.

The first-half Liberty Division presently features four teams playing at or above the .500 mark.  By Saturday evening, the New Britain Bees had dropped to 34-34 on the season.  Participating in their first Atlantic League campaign the High Point Rockers end the day with 41-29 record, just two games behind the Ducks.  Meanwhile the Freedom Division leading Sugar Land Skeeters are just one game over .500, and are the only team playing above par.  Second place York is a game under yet trail the Skeeters by one game in the standings.

The Ducks and Blue Crabs play the rubber game of their series on Sunday.

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.

L.I. Ducks: Time and Division Lead Running Short

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks Defeat Barnstormers 3-1

I - LAN 4; LID 3

II - LID 12; LAN 8

III - LID 4; LAN 3

IV - LID 7; LAN 4

Pressure On Flock To Avoid Getting Stung by Bees

Wins and time are increasingly of the essence.  First place Long Island enters Tuesday's action with a league best 35-21 (.625) record.  They're presently staked to a precarious 1.5 game lead over Somerset, and a three game lead over the expansion High Point Rockers.  A mere 13 games remain before the all-star break and conclusion of the season's first half.  They Ducks have been perched atop the standings for much of the season making the Liberty Division theirs to lose.  That said, they host the New Britain Bees this week before heading back to Somerset for what should amount to another fierce battle for first place against the Patriots.

The Bees may be in last place of the Liberty Division, but they're only five games out of first.  The entire division is playing above .500 baseball.  New Britain enters Bethpage Ballpark with a 30-26 record, and like the Ducks enter the series winners of three in a row.

New Britain Bees

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM 

THE POND

David Washington is tied for the league lead with 16 home runs, and is third with 40 RBI.  Kirk Nieuwenhuis is second on the team with ten home runs and 35 runs batted in.  L.J.Mazzilli leads the team with 14 doubles.  Despite hitting the league's second most home runs the Ducks are only sixth in runs scored.

As we know, nine pitchers have had their contracts purchased this season from the Ducks.  Yet, the Flock continues getting clutch performances from those still donning a Long Island uniform.  On Friday the Ducks split a double-header against Lancaster, while getting a respectable five inning start from Joe Iorio.  On Saturday, Jake Fisher turns in an effective veteran effort to earn his fourth victory of the season.  In Sunday's series finale, the Ducks get an abbreviated albeit arguably effective start from Darin Downs.

The ongoing question remains: do they have enough starting pitching to see this first half through to a pennant?

L.I. Ducks: Somerset Patriots Tie Flock For First Place

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LIBERTY DIVISION SHOWDOWN

Patriots lead series 1-0

I - SOM 5; LID 2

II - WED @ SOM

III - THU @ SOM

With Game One Victory Somerset Forges Tie With Ducks Atop Liberty Division Standings.

Somerset roughs up Long Island starter Jake Fisher for five runs (four earned) on six hits and one walk through five innings, handing him his sixth loss of the season against three wins.  After ten starts his record falls to 3-6 while his ERA is up to 5.24 and climbing.

Patriots starter Brett Oberholtzer limited the Ducks to a pair of runs courtesy of Ramon Cabrera's two run double in the eighth.  Otherwise Oberholtzer yields four total hits and one walk with five strikeouts for his fourth victory of the season against just one loss.  The Ducks were limited to five hits all game.

With Somerset's victory on Tuesday, the Long Island Ducks and Patriots are now tied for first place of the Liberty Division.  The Patriots have now won four in a row, while the Ducks drop their third straight.

L.I. Ducks: Patriots Counter for Game Two Victory

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LIBERTY DIVISION SHOWDOWN

Series Tied 1-1

I - LID 3; SOM 2

II - SOM 3; LID 1

THURSDAY

Somerset Patriots

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

THE POND

Somerset evens the series at one apiece with a 3-1 victory over the Ducks at the Pond on Wednesday.  Patriots starter Thomas Dorminy limited Long Island to a lone run on seven hits and three walks with seven strikeouts to earn his first victory of the season.  The Ducks ruined his bid at a shut out in the seventh when Ramon Cabrera led-off with a double, advanced to third on Vladimir Frias' base hit through the middle, then scored on Ezequiel Carrera's sac-fly to left.

Jake Fisher climbed the bump for the Ducks yielding three runs (two earned) on eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts through six innings pitched.  His record falls to 3-5 for the season with an unsightly 5.04 ERA.

Long Island remains 1.5 games ahead of the second place Patriots.

Long Island Ducks 2019 Season Preview

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

2000   20th SEASON   2019

ATLANTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

2004    2012    2013

Congratulations to Buddy Harrelson, Michael Pfaff, and the entire Long Island Ducks organization as they embark on their 20th season of professional baseball.

The naysayers said it couldn't be done.  Carving out a niche in and around the Big Apple - much less establishing a new independent league within the tri-state area - sounds as improbable now as I remember it then.  Yet, two decades later here they are.  With the unfortunate demise of the Bridgeport Bluefish (after the 2017 season), the Somerset Patriots became the lone remaining member club of the original Atlantic League charter, thus elevating the Ducks to second most senior team in the circuit.

Michael Pfaff's Quacks are backed by a passionate fan base stretching from Bensonhurst (yours truly) to Montauk Point whom consistently pack the Pond.  The same can be said of the well entrenched Patriots and their stalwart New Jersey fan base.  Suffice it say the rivalry between the two teams goes under-spoken, but is nonetheless epic.  Somerset leads all clubs with six Atlantic League championships, but none since getting realigned out of the Freedom Division after the 2015 season and into the same division with Long Island.  In each of the last three seasons, the Ducks have gone on to pull off amazing feats of victory in the Liberty Division playoffs over Somerset.  The Ducks are three time Atlantic League champions, but not since winning back-to-back titles six and seven years ago.  Although they've qualified for the finals the last three years running, they've fallen short each time; twice to a formidable Sugar Land Skeeters team, and once against the York Revolution.

If that alone does not serve to motivate the current cast of Quacks to greater altitudes, then Wally Backman will.  The old Mets firebrand is back, and looking to ruffle Atlantic League competition.  The man I longed to have piloting the New York Mets enters his first season as manager of the Long Island Ducks.  I congratulate him, and I'm happy for him.  As a manager he's both wild and wile, and a freak for small ball and fundamentals.  Wally makes his position crystal clear.  He's tough, demanding, and expects you to study your craft.  But he's also straightforward, a good teacher, and exudes support for his guys.  Everywhere he's been, players respected him, even lauded him.  Authority figures, not so much.  But I am no man's judge.  That said I believe he possesses a brilliant baseball mind rivaling the great managers of not too long ago.  I welcome him into the Flock's fold with wings wide open.

Ed Lynch, is not only one of my favorite Met pitchers of the time, he is likewise one of the most under rated Mets of all-time ... and he's from Brooklyn!  He was a bright light through some dark years during the early 1980s at Shea Stadium.  I felt terrible for him upon learning in 1986 he had been traded mid-season to the Cubs.  He was an important pitcher during their early rise to prominence.  Lynch rejoins his former teammate Wally Backman serving as team pitching coach.

Long Island now enters what I'll call the post John Brownell era.  The organization's all-time record setting starting pitcher retired after last season.  There's also no more Francisco Rodriguez in the bullpen.  Gone too from this year's lineup are the bats of Emilio Bonifacio, Jordany Valdespin, Taylor Ard, and Travis Snider.  The popular Cody Puckett is likewise gone, as is crowd favorite and long time shortstop Dan Lyons.

LINKS:

• MLB/Atlantic League Rule Changes
• Rules Update: Mound Distance
• Long Island Ducks
• Atlantic League
• Stats Baseball Reference

PITCHING STAFF

Tim Adleman (RHP)

• The 31-year old native New Yorker from Staten Island marks his first season with the Ducks.  Tim was originally drafted in 2010 by the Orioles, then spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons pitching in the independent American Association, and CanAm League, respectively.  By 2014 he was back to playing affiliated ball with the Cincinnati Reds organization.  He has 43 games of major league experience including 33 starts over two seasons (2016-2017) with the Reds.

Tyler Badamo (RHP)

• Hailing from Mount Sinai, New York, the 26-year old was originally drafted in 2014 by the New York Mets.  He owns a 12-13 record with a 3.79 ERA during four seasons of affiliated ball in the Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks organizations.  Back for his first full season with the Ducks, Badamo spent parts of last season pitching for New Britain and Sugar Land before landing on Long Island, where he posted a 3-3 record with a 3.38 ERA through seven starts.

Jake Fisher (LHP)

• The 27-year old independent league veteran returns for his third season, and second full season with the Ducks.  Jake last year posted an 8-7 record with a 3.92 ERA with 107 strikeouts in 133.1 innings pitched.

Brett Marshall (RHP)

• After making three appearances last year, Marshall returns for his first full season on Long Island.  A Yankees farm product, he last played MiLB in 2016 for Tampa's double-A affiliate.  Before joining the Ducks, he pitched parts of last season for Sugar Land and Southern Maryland.  He posted a combined 6-9 record with a 4.56 ERA in 25 total starts, with 108 strikeouts in 132.1 innings pitched.

Tim Melville (RHP)

• After making nine starts in 2017 for the Ducks, Tim returns for a second campaign on Long Island.  He spent last season pitching for Baltimore's triple-A affiliate where he made 14 starts and 40 overall appearances.  The 29-year old owns a 4.67 ERA in 861.1 career minor league innings pitched. 

Jon Niese (LHP)

• The 32-year old southpaw needs no introduction.  Local fans know him very well.  He was a member of the 2015 National League champion Mets.  I suspect many Ducks/Mets fans will be flocking to Bethpage Ballpark throughout the upcoming season to watch him pitch - every pun intended.  Niese spent nine season pitching in Queens, compiling a 61-62 record and 3.99 ERA, with 838 strikeouts through 1,079.1 innings pitched.  He pitched his last MLB game in 2016 for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The upcoming season marks Jon Niese's return to baseball after a two year hiatus.

LHP Jon Niese becomes the first 2019 @LIDucks to have his contract purchased by an @MLB club - @Mariners have purchased & assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate. Congrats Jon!

— Michael Pfaff (@LIDucksGM) April 24, 2019

Bennett Parry (LHP)

• Now entering his second season with the Ducks, Parry spent five seasons in the Baltimore Orioles organization before moving on to Lincoln of the American Association for two seasons.  An Atlantic League all-start least season, he posted a 6-1 record with a 2.86 ERA in 14 starts, with 116 strikeouts in 85 innings pitched for a 12.3 K/9 average.

BULLPEN

Enrique Burgos (RHP)

• He spent ten seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization before moving on in 2017 to the Atlanta Braves triple-A affiliate.  He spent last year pitching in Mexico.  He owns a 6-4 record and 4.43 ERA through 91.1 innings at triple-A.  Burgos has 73 games of MLB experience (2015-2016), all in relief for Arizona with a 5.27 ERA and 10.8 K/9 average in 68.1 innings pitched.

Jose Cuas (RHP)

• The infielder turned relief pitcher is back for his second season with the Ducks.  The 24-year old appeared in 22 games last season all in relief, posting a 2.38 ERA, with a 6.4 H/9 and 6.9 K/9 average in 22.2 innings pitched.  Jose played for Grand Street High School in Brooklyn!  The Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the 11th round of the 2015 draft.

Darin Downs (LHP)

• The 34-year old southpaw previously pitched on Long Island in 2015 and 2016, and now returns for his third season with the Ducks.  He spent last season pitching in Mexico for Monterrey where he posted a 3.42 ERA in 26.1 innings pitched.  He owns a 4.03 ERA through 764.1 career minor league innings pitched.  Downs is a three year MLB veteran with a 4.76 ERA and 8.3 K/9 average in 90.2 career innings pitched.

Tucker Healy (RHP)

• The soon to be 29-year old owns a career 3.24 ERA, 1.242 WHiP, with a 7.5 H/9 average and 11.3 K/9 average in 319.2 career innings mostly spent in the Oakland A's organization.  He enters his first season on Long Island after making 20 appearances last year for Tacoma of the Pacific Coast League.  All of his 249 career appearances have come in relief.

Joe Iorio (RHP)

• The 27-year old Frontier League veteran of four seasons enters his first campaign with the Ducks.  He owns a career 3.95 ERA, 1.338 WHiP, and 10.2 K/9 average through 95.2 innings pitched.  He's coming off a breakout 2018 season, posting a 1.46 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 49.1 innings pitched, while allowing just 36 hits and seven walks for a 0.872 WHiP.

Vin Mazzaro (RHP)

• The first time Duck was originally selected by the Oakland A's in the third round of the 2005 draft.  A veteran of eight (2009-2016) MLB seasons, he owns a 24-23 career record and 4.79 ERA in 383 innings pitched.  Of his 140 career appearances, 95 have been in relief.  Last season he posted ten saves with a 1.76 ERA in 46 innings pitched for the New Jersey Jackals of the CanAm League.  He surrendered just 33 hits and 10 walks for a 0.935 WHiP, with 44 strikeouts for an 8.6 K/9 average.

Alex Katz (LHP)

• Another local born in Manhasset, New York, Alex attended St. John's University in Queens.  The 24-year old owns a 3.95 ERA in 200.1 career innings pitching in the White Sox and Orioles respective  systems.  Last season he struck out 47 batters in 44.1 innings pitching for single-A Delmarva.

BEHIND THE PLATE

Ramon Cabrera (C)

• At 29-years of age, Ramon returns for a second season on Long Island.  Last year he batted .268 in 84 games and 313 at-bats, with 21 doubles, three home runs, and 31 RBI.  Over a ten year MiLB career he's a career .282 hitter, with a 24% rate of caught stealing, and .991 fielding average.  Ramon played in 74 MLB games with the Cincinnati Reds.

Hector Sanchez (C)

• Now 29-years old, he spent last season playing for Sacramento of the Pacific Coast League.  Over the course of seven (2011-2017) seasons, he slashed .238/.273/.367, with 59 extra base hits and 120 RBI through 347 games and 783 at-bats, and owned a .992 FA, with a 25% rate of caught stealing as a major league catcher.  In 498 career MiLB games, he is a .286/.359/.449 career slasher with 52 home runs and 309 RBI in 1,700 at-bats.

Wagner Gomez (C, RP)

• Sometimes pitcher, sometimes catcher - who knows - Gomez is another man of many, if not enigmatic talents.  He enjoyed a brief cup of coffee late last year, and returns in search of a full season on Long Island.  But in what capacity remains to be seen.  He played two games last season in which he managed four at-bats, but also pitched and finished a game with one full inning of work.  His five year minor league career with the Reds organization ended after 2014, after which he remained unlisted for three seasons until joining the Ducks.

AROUND THE HORN

David Washington (1B)

• David last season was Long Island's main sources of power.  In 113 games and 399 at-bats, he hit 16 doubles, a team high 24 home runs, with 71 RBI, and eighteen stolen bases.  For the 28-year old, his prime athletic years lay dead ahead.

Vladimir Frias (2B, SS)

• Drafted by the Giants in 2008, Frias last participated in affiliated ball in 2017 with Arizona's double-A club.  Otherwise, the now 34-year old infielder spent the previous two seasons as a standout with the Lancaster Barnstormers.  Last year he slashed .282/.350/.411, with 24 extra base hits and 39 RBI in 287 at-bats.  He also stole 16 bases and was caught only twice.

Ivan De Jesus, Jr. (SS, 2B)

• It seems as if Ivan has been playing forever.  He was 18-years old in 2005 when he broke in with the Los Angeles Dodgers rookie league squad.  He is a career .302 hitter through eight season at triple-A; and a career .300 hitter in 13 overall MiLB seasons.  De Jesus is also a Winter League stalwart, and brings with him 228 games of major league experience.  He played last season for the triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.  The soon to be 32-year old enters his first season playing independent baseball.

Rando Moreno (SS, 2B)

• The soon to be 27-year old, spent last season playing for the San Rafael Pacifics of the independent Pacific Association, where he slashed .305/.356/.432, with 33 extra base hots, and 55 RBI through 80 games and 354 at-bats.  He scored 71 runs, and stole 25 bases while getting caught just once.  Prior to that, he spent seven seasons in the San Francisco Giants organization.

Steve Lombardozzi (3B, 2B)

• In six years of major league service, the 30-year old infielder slashed .260/.292/.333, with 43 extra base hits and 52 RBI in 291 games and 786 at-bats.  He spent last season playing for Nashville of the Pacific Coast League where he batted .243 with 19 extra base hits and 42 RBI over 120 games.  This season marks Steve's return to the Atlantic League.  He previously  played 40 games in 2016 for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs where he slashed .367/.401/.428, with nine extra base hits and 20 RBI in 166 at-bats.

Mike Olt (1B/3B)

• Hailing from New Haven, Connecticut, Mike attended spring training with the Minnesota Twins.  He spent the last two seasons in the Red Sox organization.  In 2017 he hit 23 doubles and 16 home runs, with 57 RBI in 392 at-bats for double-A Portland.  He has 135 games of MLB service.  While with the Cubs in 2014, he hit 12 home runs with 33 RBI in 225 at-bats.

OUTFIELD

Matt den Dekker (L/L)

• Another familiar face, Matt has 166 major league games of experience most popularly with the Mets, along with the Nationals and Tigers.  He owns an MLB slash of .223/.305/.337, with 27 extra base hits and 30 RBI through 368 big league at-bats.  In 811 games over a nine year minor league career, he slashed .271/.335/.447 with 86 home runs and 401 RBI.  Now 31-years old, he spent last season playing for Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League.

Daniel Fields (L/R)

• Back for his second season with the Ducks, Daniel last season slashed .267/.345/.425, with 21 doubles, nine home runs, 40 RBI, and 12 stolen bases through 96 games and 341 at-bats.  He spent the 2017 season playing for the now defunct Bridgeport Bluefish, for whom he slashed .297/.387/.486, with 12 home runs and 51 RBI in 85 games.  Originally drafted in 2009 by the Detroit Tigers, the 28-year old played his only ever MLB game in 2015, going 1 for 3, with a double.

Rey Fuentes (L/L)

• Drafted in the first round of the 2009 draft by the Boston Red Sox, Rey was later shipped to the San Diego Padres in 2010 as part of Boston's transaction to acquire first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.  Now 28-years old, he has exactly 100 games of MLB experience.  A perennial Winter League participant, he spent the last two seasons playing at Reno of the Pacific Coast League where last year he batted .265 in 2018 with 11 doubles, six home runs, and 39 RBI in 302 at-bats.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis (L/R)

• Long Island welcomes another former Mets outfielder, the California dreamer himself.  Since debuting for the Mets back in 2012, he remained active in major league baseball through the 2017 season.  He spent last season playing for Tacoma of the Pacific Coast League.  I caught my first glimpse of Kirk - like so many other Mets prospects - at Coney Island when he played for the Brooklyn Cyclones.  He enjoyed his best season in 2016 while with Milwaukee where he hit 18 doubles and 13 home runs, with 44 RBI in 335 at-bats.

Lew Ford (R/R) - player/coach

• The Texas born globetrotter returns to Long Island for his tenth season with the Ducks.  Before making the Pond his permanent residence, Lew played on baseball diamonds across America, as well as Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and across the Pacific in Japan.  Oh, the stories he can tell.  Now 42-years young, Ford is coming off one of his best seasons in which he slashed .293/.353/.432, with 33 doubles, ten home runs, and 73 RBI in 123 games and 468 at-bats.  The trick was staying healthy after nagging injuries compromised both his 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Ducks: Spring Training Invitees

Long Island's season kicks off on the road against the Revolution at York, Pennsylvania on Friday.  Their home opener at Bethpage Ballpark is scheduled for the following Friday, May 3, in a return series against the Revolution.  The Ducks also have a new member club joining the Liberty Division.  The High Point Rockers hailing out of North Carolina are now open for business.  They replace the defunct Bridgeport Bluefish.  The Sugar Land Skeeters are defending Atlantic League champions.  They've won in two of the last three years, defeating the Long Island Ducks each time.

L.I. Ducks: With Liberty and Playoffs For All

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LIBERTY DIVISION

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Somerset Patriots

vs

Long Island Ducks

Here we go again.

As if there were any doubt ...

For a fourth consecutive post-season, the Long Island Ducks and Somerset Patriots will battle for the Liberty Division championship.  It's been this way pretty much ever since the league realigned and placed Somerset alongside the Ducks.

The Flock cut it close this season, narrowly capturing the second-half division flag over rival Somerset, and thereby averting a Wild Card scenario.  After a troublesome first-half, in which they finish five games back of the first place Patriots, Long Island finishes strong with a 39-24 mark, two games better than the Patriots, and a 69-57 record overall.  Somerset secures their post-season berth with a 35-28 first-half record and finish the regular season with a 72-54 record overall, three games better than the Ducks. 

Not coincidentally, the Patriots take the first-half head-to-head series six games to three.  The Ducks turn the tables in the second-half head-to-head series, likewise winning six and losing three.  Said another way, these rivals split their regular season series down the middle, posting nine victories apiece.

It goes to show how through the seasons little has changed with regard to this recurring match-up.  The Liberty Division championship series once again features an age old dynamic in which one of the league's strongest offensive teams opposes one of the league's top pitching teams.

Of the two clubs, Long Island is the offensive juggernaut.  The Ducks rank first in home runs and total bases, second in slugging, and third in runs scored and OPS.  Somerset ranks last in home runs, seventh in both total bases and slugging, and fifth in both runs and OPS.  However, the Patriots are second in walks and stolen bases, third in OBP, and fourth in team average.  Whereas the Ducks are fifth in both walks and stolen bases, and sixth in both OBP and team average.

Infielder Justin Trapp leads Somerset with eight home runs, while the Ducks feature three players in double-digits.  David Washington leads Long Island with 24 round-trippers (second in the league), and Taylor Ard is second with sixteen.  The ageless one, Lew Ford leads the team with 73 RBI.  Washington and Travis Snider are tied with 71 RBI.  Second baseman Jordany Valdespin spearheads the offense with a team leading .338/.400/.487 triple slash.  He wins the league batting title by fractions over Somerset's Craig Massey, whom also finishes with a .338 mark.  In addition to leading the Patriots in batting, Massey also leads Somerset with a .418 OBP.  Alfredo Rodriguez leads with 55 RBI, while Jayce Boyd tops the club with a .481 slugging average.

Unfortunately, the Ducks lost the services of Emilio Bonifacio.  At the time his contract is purchased by the Milwaukee Brewers, he was leading the Atlantic League with a .348 average through 70 games.

On the mound, Somerset features one of the top two pitching staffs in the league.  They're first in strikeouts, H/9, K/W, own the league's second best ERA and WHiP, and have issued the second least walks.  Meanwhile, the Ducks rank fifth or sixth in most pitching categories.

This is precisely why Long Island's best hopes for advancing into the Atlantic League championship series rests on the arms and shoulders of their starting rotation.  As John Brownell, Matt Larkins, and Jake Fisher go, so will go the Ducks.  They'll also need effective contributions from Hector Silvestre, Dennis O'Grady, and recently acquired Brett Marshall.

And should the Ducks take a lead late into the game, the old pro Francisco Rodriguez must slam the door closed.  He posts 27 regular season saves and 2.76 ERA, with 42 strikeouts through 42.1 innings pitched.

THE RIVALRY: DUCKS vs. PATRIOTS

Prior to league realignment, the Ducks and Patriots face off in the 2013 league championship series, with Long Island emerging victoriously, three games against two.  The following season, Somerset gets shifted out of the Freedom Division and proceed to win their first Liberty Division title.  In 2015, Long Island flips the script in defeating Somerset two games against one.  If you're a Ducks fan the 2016 series proves epic; for Patriots fans not so much.  Somerset jumps out to a 2-0 series lead, but Long Island storms back winning three straight to capture the Liberty Division flag.  Last season, the Ducks again sweep Somerset, but for a second straight season fall short in the Atlantic League championship series.

L.I. Ducks: Liberty Division Race Tightening Like a Tourniquet

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Long Island Ducks: New, Veteran, and Spot Starters Keeping Flock a Step Ahead of Patriots.

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.

L.I. Ducks: Flock Pitching Lacking Wind Beneath Their Wings

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

CALL TO ARMS

Long Island Ducks: Poor Starting Pitching Imperiling Pursuit of Pennant.

I told you ... beware the Lancaster Barnstormers.  The Ducks wind up losing three of four, which has now spilled over into a series opening loss against the Revolution at York on Friday.

With the Ducks losing their last three, and the Somerset Patriots winning their last three, suddenly Long Island's Liberty Division lead is down to two games with only fourteen left to play.  Worse yet, should the Patriots overtake Long Island, Lancaster presently owns a 4.5 game lead in the Wild Card standings over the Ducks.

If you recall, I also said the Ducks will go only as far as their triumvirate of veteran starting pitchers take them.  So far, Jake Fisher has not pitched since Aug. 15, after being placed on the disabled list.  Last Tuesday against Lancaster, John Brownell's ERA grew to 4.66 after allowing five runs on ten hits and five walks through seven innings pitched.  In Friday's opener at York, the Revolution hammer Matt Larkins for nine runs on 15 hits and a walk through six innings, likewise elevating his ERA to a 4.73 mark.  The two allow a combined 25 hits in just 13 innings pitched.

Sandwiched in between the starts of Brownell and Larkins, the Ducks demonstrate how just how dire their situation has become.  Recently signed Chris Pike makes only his fourth start for the Ducks in the first game of Wednesday's double-header against Lancaster, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks in a four inning no-decision effort.  Long Island then turns to 41-year old Lorenzo Barcelo in the nightcap.  Making only his second start for the Ducks, he surrenders four earned runs on eight hits and three walks in just four innings.  Lorenzo had previously made seven other relief appearances since signing on with Long Island one month ago.  Hector Silvestre then starts Thursday against Lancaster, allowing nine runs/four earned, on eight hits and five walks through five innings of work.

All told, the last five starting efforts have resulted in 26 earned runs on 46 hits and 17 walks in 26 innings pitched, for an untenable 9.00 ERA, and equally problematic 2.42 WHiP.

And therein lies Long Island's problem.

Oh, and the Milwaukee Brewers purchased the contract of now former Ducks outfielder Emilio Bonifacio.  He was only the Atlantic League's leading hitter with a .348 batting average, that's all ...

L.I. Ducks: Flock Will Go As Far As Triumvirate of Starting Pitchers Take Them

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks own 4.5 game lead over Somerset Patriots 

with nineteen games to go.

Long Island Ducks: Weight of Flock's World Falls on Triumvirate of John Brownell, Jake Fisher, and Matt Larkins.

Less than twenty games remain in the regular season, and the Sugar Land Skeeters have thus far proven themselves to be the most balanced team in the circuit, ranking first or second in near every major pitching and offensive category.  With a first-half title already in the books, the Skeeters again lead the Freedom Division by 6.5 games over the second place Lancaster Barnstormers.

For Long Island rooters, that's a race worth monitoring as Lancaster presently tops the Wild Card standings by 2.5 games over the Flock.  As luck would have it, the Barnstormers arrive on Long Island Tuesday night to open a four game series at Bethpage Ballpark.

In the midst of a six-game win streak, the Ducks enter Tuesday with a 4.5 game lead over the Somerset Patriots.  With their head-to-head regular season series complete, the Flock and Patriots do not meet again down the stretch, thus setting the stage for a rather intriguing race to come.

Somerset, like Sugar Land, has already clinched a first-half title.  Therefore if the Ducks are to face off against the Patriots in a fourth straight Liberty Division post-season showdown, it would behoove them to sustain their present standing and capture the second-half flag, or at the very least, outplay the Lancaster Barnstormers and any other Wild Card contenders.

Easier said than done ...

Long Island's final six games of the regular season are against the Skeeters, all at Sugar Land.

ATLANTIC LEAGUE RANKINGS:

Team Average

• Sugar Land #1;  LONG ISLAND #2;  SOMERSET #5

Team Slugging

• Sugar Land #1;  LONG ISLAND #2;  SOMERSET #7

Team OPS

• Sugar Land #1;  LONG ISLAND #2;  SOMERSET #6

Runs

• Sugar Land #1;  LONG ISLAND #2;  SOMERSET #5

Home Runs

• LONG ISLAND #1; Sugar Land #2; SOMERSET #8

Total Bases

• LONG ISLAND #1; Sugar Land #2; SOMERSET #6

Team ERA

• Sugar Land #1; SOMERSET #2; LONG ISLAND #5

Team WHiP

• Sugar Land #1;  SOMERSET #2;  LONG ISLAND #6

Average Against

• Sugar Land #1;  SOMERSET #2;  LONG ISLAND #6

Strikeouts

• SOMERSET #1;  Sugar Land #2;  LONG ISLAND #3

Which team wins the Liberty Division's second-half title boils down to a pair of factors: whether Long Island's hitting outlasts Somerset's pitching, and how well the Ducks emerge from their six game series against Sugar Land.

The loss of starter Bennett Parry (contract purchased/Taiwan) earlier this month was clearly a major blow to Long Island's rotation.  They've have also negotiated the last two months without the injured Jair Jurrjens.  The Ducks in turn have relied on Tyler Badamo and Hector Silveste to back fill the rotation with mixed results.  The one time Mets farmhand and former Skeeter himself, Tyler Badamo is 3-2 since coming over to the Flock, with a 3.37 ERA through seven starts.  Silvestre comes to the Flock via the Washington Nationals system, and thus far has struggled through his first seven appearances.  He's 2-0 but with a 6.23 ERA, having surrendered 39 hits, 11 walks, and striking out 16 through 30.1 innings pitched.

It goes without saying, then, the burden of leading Long Island towards future successes or failures now rests in the arms, elbows, and shoulders of veteran Flock starting pitchers John Brownell, Matt Larkins, and Jake Fisher.  I'm sure all three would agree their respective performances haven't exactly been up to snuff.

• John Brownell: 9-10 with a 4.56 ERA, 1.713 WHiP, and .271 average against.
• Jake Fisher: 6-6 with a 4.23 ERA, 2.104 WHiP, and .293 average against.
• Matt Larkins: 7-4 with a 4.23 ERA, 2.12 WHiP, and .307 average against.

Despite some unsightly numbers, they're an experienced lot.  But can they seize the day one last time?

L.I. Ducks: Jake Fisher Pitches Gem Against Somerset Patriots

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

GAME TWO

Patriots  1

Ducks    2

FINAL

Long Island Ducks: Flock Shaves Somerset Lead Down To Three Games.

Jake Fisher comes up huge, outlasting Somerset's Vince Molesky in a pitcher's duel at Bethpage Ballpark.

Game One

The Patriots strike first.  Right fielder Justin Pacchioli doubles home center fielder Mike Fransoso in the top of the fourth.  The game remains that way through the sixth, after which starter Vince Molesky is relieved by Logan Kensing.  Taylor Ard leads off the bottom of the seventh with a double, then advances to third on a put-out at first.  Ramon Cabrera's sac fly to right scores Ard from third, and ties the game.  Then with two outs in the eighth, Emilio Bonifacio singles and scores on Travis Snider's double to left.

Jake evens his record at 5-5, and lowers his ERA back below four to a 3.94 mark.  He goes eight innings, allowing Somerset one earned run on just four hits and two walks, with seven strikeouts.  He  faces thirty batters, and throws 110 pitches with 72 (65%) going for strikes.

Francisco Rodriguez pitches a scoreless ninth inning, notching his 18th save of the season.

The victory shaves the Patriots Liberty Division lead down to three games.  Long Island will attempt a series sweep on Wednesday.

L.I. Ducks: Flock Suffering Through Major Limp in Their Waddle

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Swept by the Road Warriors?

Really?

Long Island Ducks: All is Not as Golden on Bethpage Pond as it Seems.

Sure, the Long Island Ducks are sending seven well deserving representatives to this season's Atlantic League All-Star Game, to be played on July 11, right here at Bethpage Park.  Such stellar individual play, however, is not necessarily helping Long Island much in the standings.

The Somerset Patriots are sending five players.  Yet, the first place Somerset Patriots lead the Liberty Division by two games over the New Britain Bees and four games over the Long Island Ducks.  But with just ten games remaining in the season's first half, the Ducks are faced with somehow overcoming the aforementioned four game deficit if they are to capture an unlikely first-half title.

They can certainly start Tuesday night by taking the first of three straight from the Bees at New Britain, then return to the Pond where they can hope to swat the Freedom Division leading Sugar Land Skeeters for three straight.  That's a tall order, but the Ducks have surprised before.  Unfortunately, the schedule makers seemed to have conspired against them.  The Somerset Patriots start a series against last place (Freedom) Southern Maryland, them take on the perpetual Road Warriors.

I suspect this is not where the Long Island Ducks expected to be - not with the number of major league experienced players on the roster; no slight intended towards Travis Snider whom is posting solid numbers ... just not necessary numbers.  Nevertheless, the offensive mediocrity, to date, speaks for itself:


ATLANTIC LEAGUE: Ducks Offense
Team Avg. - #7
Home Runs - #6
OPS - #5
Runs Scored - #3
Total Bases - #2

ATLANTIC LEAGUE: Ducks Pitching
ERA - #5
WHiP - #5
Earned Runs - #5
Avg. Against - #4
Base on Balls - 4th most
Strikeouts: #1


The Ducks were most recently and ponderously swept by the Road Warriors.  They actually started the month of June strongly.  Several times throughout the first half they won at least three straight games, and posted five straight wins in June.  But by the time the summer heat set in, they found themselves one game under .500 with a 14-15 record for the month.

Long Island opens Tuesday's action with a 29-31 record, with much to accomplish in a short time to get it done.


EXTRA INNINGS:

• The Sugar Land Skeeters have already clinched the Freedom Division first half title.
• Former Mets catcher Josh Thole signed with the New Britain Bees, managed by former Met Wally Backman.

L.I. Ducks: Late Misplay Proves Costly Against Somerset Patriots

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Stopped at the Gates

Liberty Division Showdown

Long Island Ducks: Patriots Outlast Jake Fisher Gem; Take Series Opener.

In the spirit of baseball, fans attending TD Bank Ballpark's feature between the visiting Flock and host Patriots were treated to an old fashioned pitching duel. 

Under such circumstances tradition suggests the first mistake - no matter how slight - usually proves most costly.  If nothing else, Friday's series opener against rival Somerset adds credence to this school of thought.

Patriots starter Kyle Davies was removed from the game after just three innings of work, but not before retiring all nine batters faced.  Assuming pitching duties in the fourth, Vince Molesky allowed just two hits and a walk through 2.1 innings of work.  He was relieved by Mike Antonini who continued whitewashing Long Island through the seventh.  Logan Kensing then took over for Antonini in the top of the eighth.  And despite hitting Ducks shortstop Dan Lyons with a pitch, he still managed to face the minimum.  For the ninth inning, the Patriots summoned their fifth pitcher of the evening, Ryan Kelly, whom followed suit by retiring Long Island in order.

Jake Fisher: Second straight gem ends with second straight no-decision.

Seeking his third victory of the season, Jake Fisher climbed the bump for Long Island.  And for a second consecutive start, Fisher held the opposition scoreless through eight full innings pitched.  On this night he faced 26 batters, allowed just four hits and no walks, and fanned four.  After yielding a lead-off base hit in the home third, Fisher retired his final 18 batters faced in consecutive order.

In handing the game over to the bullpen, Coach Baez called upon Ashur Tolliver to pitch the ninth inning, whom promptly walked the first two batters before recording an out.  The Ducks then elected to intentionally load the bases.  But as fate would have it, Somerset's Aaron Dudley lifted a flare to shallow left which was misplayed by Danny Fields.

Thus Somerset wins Friday's series opener by a 1-0 final on an unearned run in the bottom of the ninth ... and the home crowd goes home happy.

The Ducks, not so much ...

Long Island is now 1-3 in four games this season at TD Bank Ballpark, and with Friday's loss fall two games behind the first place Patriots.  Weather permitting, they'll get the remainder of this weekend's series in.  Otherwise, they've been outscored by the Patriots through four games by a mere 17-18 margin.  After defeating them 6-4 in their very first match of the new season, the Ducks have lost three straight at Somerset by one run margins.

The Ducks/Patriots play each other six times over these next ten days.  Somerset makes their first appearance of the season at Bethpage Ballpark next weekend.

L.I. Ducks: The Long and Quiet Waddle Home

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

2017

ATLANTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

YORK REVOLUTION

Revs Defeat Ducks 3-0

I - YRK 8; LID 7

II - YRK 5; LID 4

III - YRK 3; LID 2

Long Island Ducks: No Joy in Ducksville; Flock Swept Away By Revolution.

Revenge denied.

Long Island's rematch against the York Revolution ends in a three-game TKO.

The Revolution are Atlantic League champions for the third time in their eleven year history, and for a second time coming at the expense of the Long Island Ducks.

The York Revolution effectively slugged their way through the regular season, leading the Atlantic League in home runs; finishing second in runs scored/total bases/team slugging; and third in team average.

Their offensive rampage continued through the post-season.  York hit five home runs in four games against Southern Maryland during the Freedom Division playoffs, then took the wind from beneath the Ducks wings with three more dispiriting home runs during the championship series.

In Game One, a third inning three-run home run struck by York designated hitter Michael Burgess gave the Revolution a 4-0 lead, en route to a wild 8-7 victory at Bethpage Ballpark.

In Game Two, on only the fourth pitch of the game, York left fielder Alonzo Harris homered off Ducks starter Jake Fisher leading off the first inning, giving the Revolution an immediate 1-0 lead. 

Fisher would then surrender just one hit while facing the minimum 15 batters through the next five innings.  But tied at three after seven innings, Coach Baez elected to send Jake Fisher back out for the eighth, whom promptly surrendered a lead-off base hit to third baseman Chase Simpson.  Then with one out, right fielder Jared Mitchell's RBI single to right off Fisher put the Revs ahead.  After a pitching change, the final run charged to Fisher's ledger scored on a fielder's choice. 

The Ducks got a run back in the bottom of the eighth, but no more.  The Ducks would drop their final game of the season at Bethpage Ballpark by a 5-4 final score.

The series shifted to York for the remainder of the series.  The Revolution, however, offered no quarter.

Friday, in Game Three, Ducks starter John Brownell allowed just a run on five hits, and four walks, with five strikeouts, over 5.2 innings of work.  He exited on the winning side of what was then a 2-1 game in favor of the Ducks.

However, in the bottom of the eighth, Ducks reliever Dustin Richardson allowed a lead-off hit to Rev's second baseman Rubi Silva.  Coach Baez then handed the ball off to his third reliever of the game, Matt Marsh.  York first baseman and clean-up hitter Telvin Nash promptly greeted Marsh by depositing his third pitch over the center field wall, giving the Revolution a 3-2 lead, and final margin of victory.

Since winning the opening game of the 2011 championship series, the Ducks have now lost six straight games against the York Revolution in Atlantic League championship series play.

Long Island lost all three games by one run, and managed just one home run against York pitching.

Comparative damage caused by the Revolution:

• In seven post-season games, the York Revolution slashed .292/.336/.499, with eight home runs, 109 total bases, and 35 runs scored.
• In seven post-season games, the Long Island Ducks slashed .244/.333/.308, with only three home runs, 72 total bases, and 28 runs scored.

Make that six straight losses in back-to-back championship series as well. 

This marks Long Island's second straight year in which the Ducks have been swept out of the Atlantic League finals.  Last year they fell in similar fashion to the Sugar Land Skeeters, losing the first two games at Bethpage Ballpark, then losing Game Three on the road.

The Ducks have now lost three championship series, and won two, during their seven seasons under Coach Kevin Baez.

L.I. Ducks: Bring on the Revolution

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Wednesday

GAME ONE

York Revolution

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

Bethpage Ballpark

Long Island Ducks: Flock Takes Third Straight From Somerset Patriots; Clinch Second Straight Liberty Division Crown.

The Ducks are heading back to the Atlantic League finals.  

But not before starter John Brownell and the Ducks suffered a disheartening series opening defeat at the Pond.  Game One's 7-1 loss seemed right in line with the rest of Long Island's September malaise. Somerset roughed up Long Island's all-time wins leader for 13 hits and seven runs (four earned) through 5.1 innings of work.  Brownell faced 31 batters during the loss, walking one and fanning four.

His mound opponent Patriots winning pitcher Mark Hamburger frustrated the Ducks for seven innings. The Ducks managed eight hits but fanned ten times overall en route to stranding five runners scoring position.  Right fielder Anthony Vega's RBI single in the 4th inning plated Long Island's lone run of the game.

The Ducks evened the series on Thursday with a 4-1 victory in Game Two.  Starter Matt Larkins struggled with control, but still limited the Patriots to their lone run of the game on four hits through 5.2 innings pitched for the win.  The offense got RBI from second baseman Elmer Reyes and right fielder Lew Ford.  Catcher Alex Burg went 3 for 4, with a home run in the sixth.

On Friday, the Liberty Division showdown shifted to Somerset's TD Bank Ballpark for Game Three.   There, Long Island southpaw Jake Fisher hurled a complete game gem against the Patriots in leading the Ducks to a decisive 2-1 lead in the series.  In facing 33 batters, the 27-year old tossed 115 pitches with 83 (72%) going for strikes, while allowing the first-half champs one-earned run on six hits and a pair of walks, and fanning nine batters for the victory.

Long Island hitters racked up ten hits and five earned runs off losing Somerset starter and former major leaguer Will Oliver.  The Ducks stroked 14 hits overall including a home run from Anthony Vega as they rolled to a 6-1 victory.

In Game Four, the Ducks jumped out to a 3-0 lead on third inning RBI from Anthony Vega and third baseman Giovanny Alfonzo, and DH Angelo Songco's RBI in the top of the sixth.   However, Somerset clawed back, tying the game with an unearned run in the bottom of the frame off Ducks starter Jake Dunning, and a pair of runs charged to reliever James Jones in the bottom of the eighth.

To the dismay of Saturday's very hopeful home crowd at TD Bank Ballpark, Somerset's bullpen unraveled at the absolute wrong time.  The Patriots undoing was set in motion when Ducks lead-off batter Anthony Vega drew a walk, and Dan Lyons was hit by a pitch.  With Alfonzo Giovanny at the plate, Somerset reliever Dustin Antolin unleashed a wild pitch advancing the runners.  Giovanny then bounced into s fielder's choice plating Vega with the go-ahead run.  

Right-hander Amalio Diaz pitched the final 1.1 innings, earning the victory in relief, and closing out the Ducks third straight victory against the regular season first-half champion Somerset Patriots.

• After losing Game One by a 1-7 margin, the Ducks outscored Somerset 14-5 in games Two through Four.

This is Long Island's second straight Liberty Division title.  They will return to the Atlantic League championship series where they'll face the Freedom Division champion York Revolution.

York hosted and won the first two games of the Freedom Division finals.  After a Game Three loss in Southern Maryland, the Revolution clinched a spot in the Atlantic League finals with a 5-1 victory over the Blue Crabs on Saturday.

This is York's third trip, and the Ducks sixth trip, back to the league finals.  In 2011, the York Revolution defeated the Long Island Ducks for their second straight Atlantic League championship. 

But 2011 was also the first of three straight championship series appearances by the Ducks.  Long Island won back-to-back titles during the 2012-2013 season, then lost last season's championship series against the Sugar Land Skeeters.