Long Island Ducks Take Second Straight from Staten Island Ferry Hawks

From the desk: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE and THAT RICHMOND COUNTY TEAM

EMPIRE STATE

Battle of the Birds

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Staten Island Ferry Hawks

Ferry Hawks Let Two Leads Get Away

Leading off the home first for Staten Island, right fielder Antoine Duplantis homered to right field.  But Long Island answered right back on catcher Carlos Castro's run-scoring double in the second.  The Ferry Hawks retook the lead on newly acquired Cristopher Cespedes' RBI single in the fourth.  After a scoreless fifth inning, Sam Travis scored on a Dustin Woodcock sac-fly, and catcher Joe DeCarlo drove in Deibinson Romero, giving the Ducks a 3-2 lead and the final margin of victory.  

Ferry Hawk starter and Bronx native Anthony Rodriguez surrendered three runs, but only two were earned, on seven hits and four walks in 5.2 innings for the loss.

Long Island native Joe Iorio limited Staten Island to a pair of runs on four hits and four walks with a pair of strikeouts in seven innings for his seventh win against four losses.  In relief, left-hander Jose Jose tossed a scoreless eighth, and Tyler Webb closed out the ninth for his tenth save.  

BOXSCORE

Long Island Ducks Win First Contest Against Staten Island Ferry Hawks

From the desks: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE & THAT RICHMOND COUNTY TEAM

BATTLE of NEW YORK

Staten Island Ferry Hawks

vs.

Long Island Ducks

First Meeting is a Classic; Ducks Outlast Ferry Hawks in Old-Fashioned Pitcher's Duel

A rivalry is born.  Tuesday, May 17, marked the first-ever game between New York's two independents, the Long Island Ducks and the expansion Staten Island Ferry Hawks.  

Mets fans are very familiar with the respective team managers.  Both are all-time favorites.  Second baseman for the 1986 champs, Wally Backman, is entering his fourth season as skipper of the Ducks.  Representing the 2000 N.L. champions, Edgardo Alfonzo was named the first manager in Ferry Hawks history.

The two Atlantic League teams inaugurated their rivalry with an old-fashioned pitcher's duel.  

Entering his third season with the Ducks, Brooklyn native Anderson DeLeon held the Ferry Hawks scoreless on four hits and one walk with four strikeouts through five innings pitched.  Southpaw Brady Feigl threw a scoreless sixth inning in relief of DeLeon.  Left-hander Cody Beckman entered the game in relief of Brady Feigl and tossed a scoreless top half of the seventh.

Staten Island right-hander Matt Solten yielded no runs on five hits and no walks with two strikeouts over his first six innings.  The Ducks loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth but left all runners stranded.  Long Island threatened again in the seventh, but Matt Solden induced shortstop Devin Marrero into an inning-ending 1-4-3 double play.

Wally Backman summoned Joe Iorio to pitch the top of the eighth and was rewarded with another scoreless frame.

Edgardo Alfonzo likewise turned to his bullpen, calling upon southpaw Chris Nunn in the bottom half of the eighth.

Second baseman Vladimir Frias led off with a bloop single to shallow right field.  Center fielder 

Alejandro De Aza advanced the runner.  First baseman Sam Travis reached safely on a strikeout/wild pitch, and Frias advanced to third.  Chris Nunn then walked Deibinson Romero to load the bases.  Designated hitter Rusney Castillo struck out looking.  With two outs, L.J. Mazzilli drew a base on balls to break the scoreless tie.

Long Island left-hander Tyler Webb was tasked with pitching the ninth and did not disappoint.  Staten Island put the tying run on second base but advanced no farther.

Joe Iorio earns the win, and Chris Nunn takes the loss.  BOXSCORE

L.I. Ducks: Home Run Happy Lexington Legends Clinch Atlantic League Championship

From the desk: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

LEXINGTON LEGENDS

vs.

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

GAME ONE    GAME TWO    GAME THREE

Lexington Left Fielder Courtney Hawkins Hits Three Home Runs in Rout of Ducks; Legends Clinch 2021 Atlantic League Championship

Faced with elimination and surrendering their claim to the Atlantic League title, the Ducks entrust Joe Iorio with starting Game Four against right-hander Zac Westcott for the Legends.  

But the Long Island native is walloped early and often by Lexington - too early for Wally Backman to make a move, and too late for all intent and purpose as the Legends explode for thirteen runs and deposit seven baseballs beyond the outfield wall.

The Legends promptly jump out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on back-to-back home runs by left fielder Courtney Hawkins and first baseman Denis Phipps.  

Long Island gets one back.  Left fielder L.J. Mazzilli leads off the second inning with a single and later scored on Chris Shaw's base hit to center field.  

But the Legends answer right back in the bottom of the frame.  Joe Iorio yeilds consecutive singles, and with one out, right fielder Ben Aklinski hits the Legends' third home run of the game.  Second baseman

Brandon Phillips then drives in the inning's fourth run for a 6-1 lead.

Joe Iorio exits the game after pitching a scoreless third.  He allows six earned runs on eight hits, including three home runs, and one walk.  

Duck right-hander Anderson DeLeon fares no better.  Lexington's lineup greets him with consecutive singles leading off the home fourth and a three-run home run off the bat of Courtney Hawkins, his second of the game.  Not yet done, designated hitter Ben Revere hits a one-out home run to deep right/center field, Lexington's fifth home run of the game for a 10-1 lead.

With one out in the top of the fifth, Boog Powell takes first base on a hit-by-pitch and later scores on Steve Lombardozzi's sacrifice fly.  

Right-hander Brendan Feldmann holds Lexington scoreless in the bottom half of the frame.

Leading off the home fifth inning, Courtney Hawkins hits his third home run of the game!  Then with one out and a runner on first, shortstop Roberto Baldoquín hits the Legends' seventh home run of the game giving Lexington an insurmountable 13-2 lead and their ultimate margin of victory.

The Ducks split the first two games at Long Island.  Afterwhich, the Legends take two straight at home.

After winning back-to-back titles in the South Atlantic League, the Lexington Legends in ther first season in the Atlantic League are 2021 champions.

L.I. Ducks: With Game Three Win Over Southern Maryland, The Flock Advances to Championship Series

From the desk: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

NORTH DIVISION PLAYOFF

SOUTHERN MARYLAND BLUE CRABS

vs.

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

GAME ONE     GAME TWO

The still defending Atlantic League champion Long Island Ducks set out defending their title on Monday against the Southern Mayland Blue Crabs in the first game of the North Division playoff series at the Pond.

Long Island won their fourth-ever Atlantic League championship in 2019, but then, of course, last season was canceled due to COVID.  The Ducks captured the North Division first-half flag this season with a 37-23 record, six games ahead of second-place Southern Maryland.  The second-half flag was more tightly contested and decided in the season's final weekend, with the Blue Crabs edging out the Ducks by one game.

The Ducks finished the regular season with a league-best 68-52 overall record, while Southern Maryland finished with a 63-57 record.

 

Ducks Defeat Southern Maryland Blue Crabs to Clinch North Division Flag; Long Island To Face Lexington Legends in Championship Series

Game Three at Southern Maryland features Blue Crab right-hander Daryl Thompson, who led the Atlantic League with a 16-3 record and 3.20 ERA, against Long Island native Joe Iorio who placed second in league with 13 wins against two losses with a 4.65 ERA.

The Ducks rally during the early innings.  

Center fielder Boog Powell opens the game with a base on balls.  Steve Lombardozzi follows with a single to left field, and with two outs, L.J. Mazzilli knocks in Powell.  

First baseman Chris Shaw doubles leading off the second and moves to third on Hector Sanchez's

single to left field.  Shaw then scored on Ty Kelly's sac-fly.  Afterwhich, Zach Collier's misplay in center field clears the way for Sanchez to cross home.  

Steve Lombardozzi and the ageless Lew Ford wield consecutive singles to open the third, and with runners at the corners, Mazzilli's sac-fly to center field gives Long Island a 4-0 lead.

Southern Maryland finally catches up to Joe Iorio in the fifth.  With two outs, Iorio yields two walks and two hits that result in a pair of runs.

Long Island recovers a run in the top of the sixth on Chris Shaw's second home run of the playoffs.  But the Blue Crabs snap right back with two more runs in the bottom half of the frame and knock Joe Iorio out of the box.  Right-hander Brady Dragmire finishes out the sixth.

Southpaw Darrell Thompson hurls a scoreless seventh inning.  Wally Backman then summons Rob Griswold, who twirls a scoreless eighth.  Blue Crab shortstop Jordan Howard, who ended the frame on a comebacker to Griswold, got into a shouting match with the entire Ducks dugout, causing both benches to empty without incident.

The Ducks are set down in order in the top of the ninth as Blue Crab reliever Endrys Briceno completes a second scoreless inning in relief.

Rob Griswold goes back out for the ninth.  With one out, Chris Shaw fails to handle Rubi Silva's liner to first for an error.  But the Ducks close out the game in spectacular fashion when Zach Collier grounds into a 6-4-3 double play, Vladimir Frias, to Lombardozzi, to Shaw.

Griswold earns a six-out save.  Joe Iorio earns the win, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks with four strikeouts.  Three Long Island bullpen members join together in limiting the Blue Crabs to no runs on one hit and one walk with two strikeouts over the final 3.1 innings.

In defeating the league's winningest pitcher, the Long Islanders win the North Division flag two games against one and advance to their fifth consecutive Atlantic League championship series.  

The Ducks will now defend their 2019 title against the awaiting Lexington Legends. 

BOXSCORE

Long Island Ducks Lose Series To York Revolution

From the desk: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

York defeats Long Island; 2-1

I - LID 6; YRK 0

II - YRK 3; LID 1

III - YRK 4; LID 2

Long Island Loses Rubber Game At York

GAME ONE BOX 6/11/2021 - That's NEW York to you ... Making his third start, Long Islander Joe Iorio allows no runs on just four hits and two walks with three strikeouts over six innings pitched for the win.  Relievers Chris Reed hailing from across the pond, native Brooklynite Anderson DeLeon, fellow Long Islander, and St. John's alum Anthony Rosati each toss an inning apiece to preserve the shutout.  Center fielder Charlie Tilson and third baseman Sal Giardina join together for four hits and four runs batted in.  Steve Lombardozzi and Johnni Turbo drive in a run apiece.

GAME TWO BOX 6/12/2021 - Long Island opens the scoring in the first.  Steve Lombardozzi scores on L.J. Mazzilli's sacrice fly to right field.  But the Ducks would score no more.  York starter  Austin Nicely yields just three hits and four walks with three strikeouts through 6.2 innings for the win.  The Revolution tie in the fifth then goes ahead in Melky Mesa's two-run home run in the sixth.  Making his third start, Brendan Feldmann faces 28 batters and throws 103 pitches, with 60 going for strikes.  He allows seven hits and a walk with four strikeouts in a losing effort.  Sal Giardina accounts for two of Long Island's five hits.

GAME THREE BOX 6/13/2021 - York wastes no time against Long Island starter Chris Reed.  An opening error by third baseman Jesse Berardi and a base on balls set the stage for a couple of extra-base hits and a 3-0 lead.  Revolution's starter Austin Steinfort keeps Long Island off the board through the fifth.  Ducks' center fielder Charlie Tilson singled home two runs with two outs and the bases loaded in the sixth.  But York shortstop Yan Sanchez drives home a run in the seventh, giving the Revs a 4-2 lead and the final margin of victory.  Chris Reed takes the loss.  The bullpen surrenders only one run in six innings to no avail.  York takes the series, two games to one.

• The contract of Akeel Morris was purchased by the San Francisco Giants.
• ATLANTIC LEAGUE

Long Island Ducks Unleash Offensive Maelstrom at Southern Maryland

From the desk: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks vs. Blue Crabs; 1-1

I - SMD 7; LID 0

II - LID 19; SMD 3

SUNDAY

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

The Ducks accomplished several things Saturday night.  They evened their series against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs at one, achieved par with a 4-4 record, and essentially ruined anyone's scorecard who might have been keeping a formerly neat account of the game.

Long Island erupts for 19 runs on 17 hits, eight of which go for extra bases and tally no less than two runs against any of six different Maryland pitchers.  Shortstop Ryan Jackson is 3 for 6, with a double, home run, three runs batted in, and three runs scored.  Second baseman Steve Lombardozzi goes 4 for 4 with two doubles, four runs batted in, three runs scored, and Brock Stassi also drives home four.  Right fielder Ronni Turbo has two hits, homers in the ninth, and drives in three runs.  

Starter Joe Iorio wins his first game upon yielding two runs, one earned, eight hits and no walks with three strikeouts through six innings pitched.  In relief of Iorio, Justin Kelly surrenders a run in the seventh.  But Johnny Hellweg and Michael Tonkin secure the victory with a scoreless eighth and ninth, respectively.

This victory comes on the heels of Long Island getting whitewashed 7-0 by the Blue Crabs on Friday.  The rubber game is scheduled for Sunday.

Long Island Ducks: The Pond Is Open For Business

From the desk: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

OPENING SERIES

Long Island Ducks def. Lexington Legends; 3-1

I - LID 5; LEX 0

II - LEX 9; LID 8

III - LID 4; LEX 3

IV - LID 5; LEX 2

THE 2019 ATLANTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONS FINALLY RETAKE THE FIELD

The Atlantic League defending champions are back.  This past Saturday, the Long Island Ducks returned to the playing field hosting for the first time in Atlantic League history the Lexington Legends, formerly of the South Atlantic League.  The Legends, like the Ducks, are defending 2019 champions of their former circuit.

5/29/2021

GAME ONE - Long Island wins their first game of the season, defeating the Legends 5-0 in the front end.  Starting for the Ducks, Akeel Morris allows just one hit and two walks with six strikeouts through four innings pitched.  In relief of Morris, right-hander Jose Cuas earns the victory pitching a scoreless fifth.  Johnny Hellweg tosses a scoreless sixth, and southpaw Justin Kelly secures the shutout with a scoreless seventh.  Three of Long Island's five runs were unearned.  Left fielder LJ Mazzilli, shortstop Ryan Jackson, and pinch-hitter Juan De La Cruz drive in runs for the Ducks.

GAME TWO - Try as they might, the Ducks come up short in game two.  Trailing 9-3 heading into the last half of the seventh, Long Island scores five runs to no avail.  Starter Mike Bolsinger allows three runs in two innings.  Afterwhich, Lexington strikes for another five runs off Anderson DeLeon pitching in relief of Bolsinger.  Ryan Jackson finishes 4 for 4 with a run scored and one run batted in, and catcher Sal Giardina drives home three runs.

Jupiter Pluvius caused a postponement of Sunday's game, forcing the Ducks and Legends to play another twin bill on Monday.

5/31/2021

GAME ONE - Trailing 3-0 after four and a half innings, Long Island answers with four runs in the home fifth for the win.  Starter Joe Iorio battles through his first start, allowing three runs, two earned, on just two hits, but walks five.  The Legends' only other hit comes off Mike Tonkin in the seventh and final frame.  With the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth, Ducks catcher Hector Sanchez connects for a grand slam home run against Lexington's Liam O'Sullivan for a one-run margin of victory.  Devin Raftery earns the win in relief of Iorio.

GAME TWO - What did Yogi say, "it's deja vu all over again?"  The home crowd gets two thrillers for the price of one.  With the Ducks trailing 2-1 after eight and a half innings, a collective and rather excellent pitching duel comes to an end.  With two outs and the bases jammed with Ducks, crowd favorite Steve Lombardozzi connects off Lexington reliever Shawn Blackwell for a walk-off grand slam home run.

• Lexington Legends
• Long Island Ducks

TUESDAY

Long Island Ducks

vs.

West Virginia Power

FROM

Appalachian Power Park

In their first road trip of the season, the Long Island Ducks arrive in Charleston, West Virginia, where on Tuesday they opened a three-game series against the Power.  West Virginia is a former affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and most recently the Seattle Mariners.  Like the Lexington Legends, the Power are formerly of the South Atlantic League.

Game One

Ducks    3

Power    4

Final/Box

Catcher Sal Giardina opens the scoring with a home run in the third.  But the Power gives Ducks starter Brendan Feldmann a jolt with three runs in the fourth.  Right fielder Daniel Field's two-run home run in the eighth tied the game at three.  But West Virginia retakes the lead in the bottom half of the frame against Devin Raftery.  Long Island goes down in order in the top half of the ninth.  The first game at Appalachian Power Park between the Ducks and newly independent Power goes to the hosts.

Long Island Ducks Are 2019 Atlantic League Champions

From the desk of: THE WEBBED CHAMPIONS NINE

GONNA NEED A NEW SIGN

ATLANTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME FIVE
Ducks      8

Skeeters  4

FINAL

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

ATLANTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

2004           2012           2013

2019

A dominant season comes to an appropriate end.  The Ducks sweep the Liberty Division standings this season, winning both the first and second half pennants.  They win an all-time Ducks record 86 games during the regular season.  Then go on to defeat the High Point Rockers in the first round of playoffs to capture their fourth straight Liberty Division championship.

After bowing to the Skeeters in the 2016 Atlantic League championship series, then losing again last season to the Skeeters in five games, the Long Island Ducks win their fourth ever Atlantic League championship and their first since winning back-to-back titles during the 2012-2013 seasons.

They split games one and two at Bethpage Ballpark.  Long Island then loses game three at Constellation Field.  In game four on Saturday, the Ducks win their first ever playoff game at Sugar Land.  On Sunday they gain their most glorious of all victories on Texas soil.

• BOXSCORE: Sunday, October 6, 2019 - ATLANTIC LEAGUE

Sugar Land starter Mike Hauschild pitches himself into immediate trouble.  He commits one of the cardinal sins of baseball: walking Vladimir Frias leading off the game.  Frias steals second then advances to third on Steve Lombardozzi's sacrifice bunt.  With one out Hauschild hits Lew Ford with a pitch, then walks L.J. Mazzilli to load the bases.  After a mound visit, Hauschild walks Hector Sanchez forcing in the game's first run.  But the Skeeters escape further damage when Deibinson Romero bounces into an inning ending 5-2-3 double-play.

In the bottom of the second Skeeters designated hitter Denis Phipps homers to left tying the score at one.

With two runners in scoring position and one out in the third, Deibinson Romero redeems himself with a line single to left scoring Lew Ford and L.J. Mazzilli.  In the fifth, runs batted in by Hector Sanchez and Deibinson Romero respectively widen Long Island's lead by four.

Leading off the bottom of the seventh, Skeeters right fielder Zach Borenstein singles off the leg of Ducks starter Vin Mazzaro.  Mazzaro strikes out the next batter, but manager Backman elects to remove his pitcher anyway.  Joe Iorio closes out the inning but not before Sugar Land reduces their deficit to three.  That is until David Washington manufactures his own run in the top of the eighth with a lead off base hit, a stolen base, then advancing and scoring on sacrifice flies for a 6-2 Ducks lead.

With one out and one on in the bottom half of the eighth, Wally Backman summons Cody Mincey from the bullpen.  Two walks, two stolen bases, a fielder's choice, and one wild pitch later Sugar Land makes it a 6-4 game.  But it's too little too late.  Deibinson Romero punctuates Long Island's triumph in the top of the ninth with a two run home run to deep left/center off Skeeters reliever Matt West.  Cody Mincey adds the finishing touch in the bottom of the frame by striking out the side.

Infielders converge, outfielders come darting in, the rest of the Ducks come busting out of the dugout as the bullpen empties with haste en route to a jubilant celebration taking place just in front of the pitchers mound.

Vin Mazzaro yields two runs, one earned, on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts through 6.1 innings for his third victory of the playoffs.  The one man gang Deibinson Romero ends the night 2 for 4 with a home run and five runs batted in.  Hector Sanchez goes 1 for 2 with two walks and two runs batted in.  The ageless one Lew Ford goes 2 for 3 with a walk and three runs scored.

The Ducks Exact Their Revenge!

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

David Washington Powers Long Island Ducks to Game One Victory over Sugar Land Skeeters

From the desk of: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ATLANTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME ONE

SUGAR LAND SKEETERS

vs.

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

FROM

THE POND

Long Island breaks out for five runs in the first inning against Sugar Land starter Mike Hauschild.  Rey Fuentes, Steve Lombardozzi, and Lew Ford, open with consecutive hits for an instant 1-0 lead.  L.J. Mazzilli then grounds into a seemingly inning altering double-play.  But Hauschild walks next batter Hector Sanchez putting two runners on base, then surrenders a three run home run to third baseman Deibinson Romero.  David Washington makes it back to back home runs with a long jolt over the center field wall.

Helped along by catcher Hector Sanchez' errant pick-off attempt at first base Sugar Land scores their first run before achieving their first hit, and close to within 5-3 by the fourth.  That is, until David Washington leads off the bottom half of the frame with his second home run of the game.  Vladimir Frias follows with a double to right, and eventually scores on Steve Lombardozzi's sac-fly to center for a 7-3 Ducks lead.

Starter Vin Mazzaro exits the game on the winning side after allowing three earned runs on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts through six.  Manager Backman summons Joe Iorio from the bullpen whom yields two runs including a home run from designated hitter Denis Phipps making it a 7-5 game.  But Cody Mincey retires the Skeeters in order in the ninth preserving Long Island's series opening victory at Bethpage Ballpark.  Mazzaro earns the victory, Mincey the save.

FIRST PITCH

FIRST INNING 

Deibinson Romero hits a three run home run

giving the 4-0 Ducks lead.

FIRST INNING

David Washington makes it back to back 

home runs giving the Ducks a 5-0 lead.

FOURTH INNING

David Washington hits his second home run of the game.

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

GAME TWO MATCH-UP

(S.L.) Carlos Pimentel  vs.  (L.I.) Darin Downs

L.I. Ducks: Flock Win Wild Playoff Opener at High Point

From the desk of: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks lead Rockers; 1-0

I - LID 8; HPR 7

LIBERTY DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Game Two

Long Island Ducks

vs.

High Point Rockers

FROM

A Ballpark 600 Miles Away

NORTH CAROLINA

DUCKS OVERCOME BULLPEN IMPLOSION ON DEIBINSON ROMERO EIGHTH INNING HOME RUN.

• ATLANTIC LEAGUE

Bringing a small measure of irony to the series, John Brownell, Long Island's celebrated all-time pitching leader, makes the start for High Point in their first ever Atlantic League playoff game.  He is opposed by present Ducks ace Darin Downs.

High drama makes an early arrival at the ballpark and settles in for a lively night.  With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the first Darin Downs strikes outs right fielder Jared Mitchell ending the Rockers threat.  After hitting into consecutive inning ending double plays, the Ducks break through in the top of the third with four runs on three hits and four walks, highlighted by consecutive triples from David Washington and Vladimir Frias, and a two run scoring Steve Lombardozzi double to deep center.  The Ducks tack on a run in the top of the sixth when L.J. Mazzilli draws a one out walk and eventually scores on Deibinson Romero's sac-fly to left giving Long Island a 5-0 lead.  In the bottom half of the frame Rockers designated hitter Quincy Latimore spoils Darin Downs shutout bid with a long solo home run over the center field fence.

John Brownell's night ends upon surrendering Long Island's sixth and seventh runs of the evening.  All seven runs are earned on six hits and eight walks with only two strikeouts through 6.1 innings pitched.  Dusty Isaacs closes out the frame in relief of Brownell.

With a runner on first in the bottom of the seventh manager Wally Backman turns to his bullpen.  Darin Downs walks off on the winning side of a 7-1 lead.  However, relievers Joe Iorio and Myles Smith join together in yielding five earned runs on three hits and three walks as High Point ties the game at seven before the inning is through.

Undeterred, Deibinson Romero leading off the top of the eighth deposits reliever Sam Runion's fifth offering of the at-bat over the left field wall for an 8-7 Ducks lead.  Manager Wally Backman then hands off to Cody Mincey in the eighth who retires the side in order.  In the top of the ninth, the Ducks hit into their fifth game ending double-play of the game.  Cody Mincey closes out High Point in the ninth for the save.

Darin Downs faces 26 batters, while throwing 104 pitches with 67 (64%) going for strikes, but does not figure in the decision.  Rob Rogers earns the victory for his work in the seventh inning. Steve Lombardozzi, L.J. Mazzilli, and Deibinson Romero all drive in two runs apiece.

Long Island Ducks 2019 Liberty Division Series Preview

From the desk of: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LIBERTY DIVISION 

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

I - @ H.P.

II - @ H.P

III - @ L.I.

*IV- @ L.I.

*V - @ L.I.

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

vs.

HIGH POINT ROCKERS

FROM

BB&T Point

NORTH CAROLINA

John Brownell, long time Ducks great, faces his former team as a 

member of the High Point Rockers in Game One at North Carolina.  

He will be opposed by Long Island's Darin Downs.

Distance between Bethpage Ballpark and BB&T Point: 604 miles

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

• OVERALL RECORD: 85-54 (.611)
• First and Second Half Champs; Seeking 4th Straight Liberty Division Crown.
• Season Series vs. High Point: 8-11
• Runs Scored vs. High Point: 59

• 2B-L.J. Mazzilli: 460 AB (.293/.351/.435) 26 doubles; 13 HR; 74 RBI
• 1B-David Washington: 346 AB (.237/.334/.488) 18 doubles; 23 HR; 60 RBI
• C-Hector Sanchez: 352 AB (.273/.307/.406) 20 doubles; 9 HR; 58 RBI
• 3B-Deibinson Romero: 246 AB (.268/.322/.463) 15 doubles; 11 HR; 46 RBI

• SP-Joe Iorio: 6-3 record w/ 3.09 ERA; 128.1 innings; 92 strikeouts; 1.22 WHiP
• SP-Darin Downs: 2.63 ERA; 109.2 innings; 85 hits; 140 strikeouts; 1.09 WHiP
• SP/RP-Brandon Beachy: 6-0 record w/ 2.85 ERA; 41.0 innings; 38 strikeouts; 1.22 WHiP
• RP-Cody Mincy: 7-1 record w/ 2.53 ERA; 67.2 innings; 96 strikeouts; 5 saves; 1.18 WHiP

HIGH POINT ROCKERS

• OVERALL RECORD: 74-66 (.528)
• Inaugural Season; Wild Card
• Season Series vs. Long Island: 11-8
• Runs Scored vs. Long Island: 94

• SS-Hector Gomez: 464 AB (.291/.329/.453) 35 doubles; 12 HR; 76 RBI
• OF-Quincy Latimore: 402 AB (.264/.346/.485) 24 doubles; 21 HR; 72 RBI
• 1B-Richie Shaffer: 353 AB (.235/.346/.510) 16 doubles; 27 HR; 72 RBI
• 1B-Stephen Cardullo: 511 AB (.266/.375/.477) 36 doubles; 22 HR; 70 RBI

• RP-Ryan Kelly: 3.75 ERA; 24.0 innings; 24 strikeouts; 13 saves
• RP-Ashur Tolliver: 8-1 record w/ 2.94 ERA; 49.0 innings; 38 strikeouts; 1.12 WHiP
• SP/RP-Edwin Carl: 3.35 ERA; 94.0 innings; 87 strikeouts; 1.41 WHiP
• SP-Joe Van Meter: 10-6 record w/ 2.30 ERA; 144.2 innings; 131 strikeouts; 0.96 WHiP

ATLANTIC LEAGUE RANKING

MOUND

• ERA:  High Point #1; Long Island #2
• WHiP:  High Point #1; Long Island #2
• HR Allowed:  High Point #4; Long Island #5
• Strikeouts:  Long Island #1; High Point #3
• Saves:  Long Island #1; High Point #6
• ShO:  Long Island #1; High Point #4

PLATE

• Runs:  High Point #4; Long Island #5
• Home Runs:  High Point #2; Long Island #4
• OPS:  High Point #3; Long Island #5
• Total Bases:  High Point #2; Long Island #4
• Stolen Bases:  Long Island #3; High Point #6

Freedom Division Series 

Sugar Land Skeeters vs. York Revolution

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

L.I. Ducks: Flock's Next Milestone Lay Dead Ahead

From the desk of: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks lead Blue Crabs; 2-0

I - LID 1; SMD 0

II - LID 2; SMD 1

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

FROM

Waldorf Grounds

A remarkable season continues as Long Island stands poised to sweep this season's Liberty Division standings.

On August 30 they embark on a 12 game win streak which is snapped this past Wednesday by the York Revolution at Bethpage Ballpark.  Otherwise the Ducks are 12-2 in September.  They enter Sunday's series finale at Southern Maryland leading the High Point Rockers and New Britain Bees by 7.5 games in the standings with just eight games left to play.

Do the math ...

With Saturday's second straight victory over the Blue Crabs , Long Island also ties the club's 19-year old record for most wins in a single season.  The Ducks who two decades ago post a 82-58 record in their inaugural season enter Sunday's action with an 82-50 record.  Their next victory will mark the highest single season win total in their history.

Friday's series opener features a classic pitching duel.  Starter Darin Downs allows no runs, no hits, and two walks, with ten strikeouts through five innings pitched.  He faces 17 batters throwing 74 pitches with 47 (64%) going for strikes.  However Downs walks off to a no decision in a scoreless game.  Making a guest appearance out of the bullpen, usual starter Joe Iorio throws three scoreless innings of three hit ball in relief of Downs.  Blue Crabs starter Kevin McGovern likewise walks off with a no decision after allowing no runs on just three hits and two walks with six strikeouts through seven innings.  Opening the tenth inning, L.J. Mazzilli is Long Island's obligatory runner at second base.  Hector Sanchez immediately singles him home.  Myles Smith pitches a scoreless tenth completing Long Island's 1-0 whitewashing of Southern Maryland.

In Game two on Saturday Long Island jumps out to a 2-0 lead in the first, then hold on for a 2-1 victory.  Starter Vin Mazzaro turns in a second straight gem for the Ducks, yielding no runs on just three hits and no walks with eleven strikeouts through 6.2 innings pitched for his tenth victory of the season.  Reliever Cody Mincey closes out the game with 1.2 scoreless innings.  He allows no hits and fans three en route to his fourth save.

L.I. Ducks: The Final Twenty Game Countdown Begins

From the desk of: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks lead series 1-0

I - LID 6; LAN 2

TUESDAY

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Lancaster Barnstormers

FROM

Clipper Magazine Stadium

Despite MLB's continued pilfering of the Ducks, Long Island somehow keeps winning.  Infielder J.T. Rivera (WAS) and closer Michael Tonkin (ARZ) are only the latest to have their contracts recently purchased by a major league organization.  Yet the Ducks enter Tuesday's action against Lancaster with a league best 72-48 record.  They're fresh off a sweep against the struggling Somerset Patriots, and are now winners of four in a row after taking Monday's series opener against the Barnstormers.

Long Island goes 18-12 in August and are the first team this season to achieve 70 wins.  The first-half Liberty Division champs presently lead the second-half race by a 4.5 game margin over the second place High Point Rockers with twenty games remaining on the schedule.  The Ducks are 6-10 versus High Point this season.  The two clubs close out the regular season with a three game series at Bethpage Ballpark.  Until then the Ducks will continue facing Freedom Division opponents.

It's rather remarkable considering how an entire staff worth of pitching has been purchased away from the Ducks that they should still maintain the league's third best team ERA and WHiP.  They've yielded the second least home runs, and not only lead the Atlantic League in strikeouts but are the only staff to date to exceed 1,000 strikeouts.  They're also tied for the league lead with eleven shutouts and forty saves.

Recent Acquisitions:

• rhp - Ismael Cabrera
• lhp - Felix Carvallo
• rhp - Scott Richmond
• rhp - Anderson Leon
• rhp - Brandon Beachy
• lhp - Brandon Sherman
• lhp - Brian Matusz

Where would the Ducks be without season long constants Darin Downs and Joe Iorio?  Downs is second in the league with a 2.71 ERA.  He is sixth among league starting pitchers with a 1.12 WHiP, with only 82 hits allowed and a third best 123 strikeouts in 99.2 innings pitched.  Joe Iorio ranks fourth in the league with a 2.84 ERA.  He owns a 5-3 record through 17 starts and 27 appearances, allowing 101 hits with 82 strikeouts through 111.0 innings pitched.  Through 210.2 combined innings pitched the two have walked just 56 batters.

At the plate the Ducks are middle of the pack:

• #5 Runs Scored; second to High Point within the division.
• #4 Home Runs; to date are one of four teams to exceed 100 home runs.
• #5 Total Bases; second to High Point within division.
• #4 Team Batting
• #7 OBP
• #5 Slugging

That being said, the ageless one Lew Ford is in the midst of a rampage.  He has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games, batting .518 over his last 56 at-bats with four doubles, two home runs, and eleven runs batted in.

• ATLANTIC LEAGUE

Like I said ... what the Ducks are achieving is pretty damn remarkable.

Long Island Ducks Forge First Place Tie With High Point Rockers

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LIBERTY DIVISION SHOWDOWN

Ducks @ Rockers tied 1-1

I - HPR 6; LID 1

II - LID 4; HPR 2

GAME THREE

Long Island Ducks (18-16)

vs.

High Point Rockers (19-17)

FROM

BB&T Point Ballpark

Were it not for High Point yielding an unearned run in game one, the Ducks get shut out.  Even then recently acquired Ducks starting pitcher Brian Matusz fails to put fourth a quality start, surrendering three earned runs on three hits (including a home run) and five walks with three strikeouts through four innings pitched.  Third baseman Deibenson Romero accounts for three of Long Island's six game hits during Friday's 6-1 loss to the Rockers.

On Saturday Joe Iorio toes the rubber and is opposed by High Point starter Dominic DeMasi.  Staked to a 2-0 lead, the Rockers hurler keeps Long Island off the board through five.  But the Ducks break through with a pair in the sixth on Clint Freeman's double, D'Arby Myers hit, and an RBI each from L.J. Mazzilli and Lew Ford.  Dominic DeMasi exits a tie game after yielding two runs on seven hits and no walks with five strikeouts through eight full innings pitched.  With two on and one out in the top of the ninth, a throwing error by High Point first basemen clears the way for two more Long Island runs and eventual 4-2 final margin of victory.  Paul Clemens pitching in relief of DeMasi is charged with the loss.  Long Island's bullpen trio of Cody Mincey, Pedro Beato, and Michael Tonkin, join together on 3.2 scoreless innings of one-hit ball with one walk and two strikeouts.  Beato wins his third game, and Tonkin earns his seventh save.

With the victory Long Island both evens their weekend series and forges a first place tie with their hosts, the High Point Rockers.  The Ducks also snap a personal four game losing streak against the Rockers.  In fact, it is only their fifth victory over High Point this season in fifteen meetings to date.  Yet, the winner of Sunday's rubber game claims sole possession of first place, even if only for a day.  These team meet a final time for the last three scheduled games of the regular season at Bethpage Ballpark. 

Need I say more ...