L.I. Ducks: Lexington Legends Take Game One of Championship Series at The Pond

From the desk: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

LEXINGTON LEGENDS

vs.

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

Lexington Legends Bullpen Lockdown Ducks

Game One features New Jersey native Eli Garcia toeing the rubber for Lexington against right-hander

Brendan Feldmann for the Ducks.  Both pitchers are knocked out of the box early.  Garcia fails to make it out of the third, and Feldmann is relieved in the fourth.

Lexington opens with single runs in the first and second innings.  Legend left fielder Courtney Hawkins

homered in the first.  Two hits and a hit by pitch loaded the bases in the second, and a sac-fly gave Lexington a 2-0 lead.  

Long Island catcher Hector Sanchez singles opening the home third, and a pair of walks issued to Ty Kelly and Boog Powell loaded the bases.  With one out, Steve Lombardozzi's sac-fly to right field scores Sanchez.  Left fielder Lew Ford singles on a comebacker and advances two bases on an errant throw to first; both Kelly and Powell score.  Right-fielder L.J. Mazzilli then singles home Ford for a 4-2 Ducks lead.

But Long Island's lead is fleeting.

Brendan Feldmann surrenders a leadoff double, followed by two consecutive walks to load the bases in the top of the fourth.  Wally Backman then summons Anderson DeLeon from the bullpen, who promptly unleashes a wild pitch allowing home a run.  A second run crosses home on a sac-fly, tying the game at four.  Both runs are charged to Feldmann.

The Lexington bullpen shuts out the Ducks, beginning in the fourth through eighth innings.  Meanwhile, the Legends bunch together three hits and benefit from a throwing error resulting in two runs in the sixth, then tack on their seventh run in the eighth.

Trailing 7-4 entering the home ninth, Boog Powell draws a leadoff walk, and shortstop Vladimir Frias singles putting runners at the corners.  Steve Lombardozzi looks at strike three, and Lew Ford goes down swinging.  L.J. Mazzilli walks to load the bases, after which Deibinson Romero draws yet another walk to force home Powell from third.  With two outs and the bases still jammed with Ducks, designated hitter Chris Shaw lifts a ball deep into the right/center gap chased down and caught by center fielder Cole Sturgeon for the game's final out.

Four members of Lexington's bullpen join together in limiting the Ducks to one run on five hits and five walks with three strikeouts over the final 6.1 innings.  Shawn Blackwell earns the win in relief of Garcia, and Austin Adams earns a troublesome save, but a save nonetheless.

Duck right-hander Dylan Peiffer takes the loss.

BOXSCORE

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 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!

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

Long Island Ducks Capture Fourth Straight Liberty Division Flag

From the desk of: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LIBERTY DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Ducks defeat Rockers; 3-0

I - LID 8; HPR 7

II - LID 8; HPR 1

III - LID 3; HPR 2

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

LIBERTY DIVISION CHAMPIONS

STARTER SETH SIMMONS HURLS GEM; DUCKS COMPLETE THREE GAME SWEEP

There's a reason why in baseball circles they say get to good pitchers early before they get you.  Because once they settle in, you're done.  Those words never rang more true than Friday evening at Bethpage Ballpark.

High Point starter Joe Van Meter enters game three recognized among the Atlantic League's best.  But the Ducks waste little time staking their lead.  With two outs in the bottom of the first, Lew Ford singles through the left side, L.J. Mazzilli doubles to left, and with two runners in scoring position Hector Sanchez clears the bases with a hit to center putting Long Island up by two.  Van Meter then retires the next seven batters until yielding a inconsequential single to Mazzilli in the fourth.  Van Meters then retires another twelve consecutive batters.  After which thing go awry as the Ducks pick up what proves to be the game's decisive run.  With one out in the last half of the eighth Van Meter yields consecutive singles to D'Arby Myers, Rey Fuentes and Vladimir Frias, loading the bases.  Steve Lombardozzi then lofts a sac-fly to right scoring Myers.

Rockers second baseman Michael Russell triples leading off the fifth, and scores on designated hitter  Tyler Ladendorf's ground ball to first.  In the top half of the ninth Ducks reliever Cody Mincey surrenders a crowd quieting lead-off home run to left fielder Quincy Latimore cutting High Point's deficit to one.  But Mincey regroups to retire the next three batters, striking out Tyler Ladendorf to end the game and earn the save.  Long Island starter Seth Simmons pitches masterfully, allowing one earned run on just two hits and two walks with nine strikeouts through seven innings for the victory.  He faces 27 batters and throws 109 pitches with 72 going for strikes. 

The victory gives the Long Island Ducks their fourth straight Liberty Division championship.

So far it's been a very happy 20th anniversary season!  Now it's on to the championship series.

L.I. Ducks Sweep First Two Road Games at High Point

From the desk of: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LIBERTY DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Ducks lead Rockers; 2-0

I - LID 8; HPR 7

II - LID 8; HPR 1

FRIDAY

High Point Rockers

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

THE POND

DUCKS STARTER VIN MAZZARO TOSSES GEM

Unlike Tuesday's harrowing experience, the Long Island Ducks have an easier time handling the Rockers on Wednesday, rolling to an 8-1 victory and completing a two game road sweep at BB&T Point.  The series now shifts 600 miles away to Bethpage Ballpark on Long Island where the Ducks beginning Friday will have three chances to win one game and punch a fourth straight ticket to the Atlantic League championship series.

A hit by Richie Shaffer leading off the second, a one-out hit by Myles Schroder, and a throwing error by Ducks catcher Hector Sanchez lead to High Point's first (unearned) run of the game.  It would also be High Point's last.  Long Island starter Vin Mazzaro faces 30 batters, throwing 109 pitches with 68 going for strikes.  He allows no earned runs on just two hits and four walks with ten strikeouts in a brilliant eight inning winning performance.  Reliever Brian Matusz pitches a scoreless ninth inning to close out Long Island's second straight victory on the road.

L.J. Mazzilli is 2 for 5 with a home run and two runs batted in.  The ageless Lew Ford goes 3 for 5 with a double and to runs batted in.  Steve Lombardozzi triples in four at-bats, and rounds out a trio of Ducks with two runs batted.  Rey Fuentes and Dan Fields each drive in a run apiece.

L.I. Ducks: Flock Wins Eleventh in a Row

From the desk of: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks lead series; 1-0

I - LID 4; YRK 0

York Revolution

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

Bethpage Ballpark

FLOCK CONTINUE TO ROCK

Making his eighth start after being pressed into the starting rotation, Vin Mazzaro pitches the Ducks to an opening game victory over the Revs at Bethpage Ballpark.  Vin faces 22 batters, throwing 95 pitches with 64 going for strikes.  He allows no runs on four hits and no walks with nine strikeouts for his ninth victory of the season against four losses.  York starter Mitch Atkins also pitches well in a losing effort, allowing one earned run on six hits and three walks with three strikeouts through six innings.

Long Island opens the scoring in the first on Lew Ford's RBI single scoring Rey Fuentes from second.  However the Duck inflict most of their damage against reliever Joe Jones in the seventh.  After singles from Lew Ford and Hector Sanchez, third baseman Deibinson Romero clears the bases with his tenth home run of the season.  The surging Lew Ford is 2 for 3 with an RBI, raising his average to .311 for the season.  Ducks relievers Felix Carvallo, Myles Smith, and Ismael Cabrera, join forces in allowing no runs on just two hits and two walks with four strikeouts to complete Monday's 4-0 whitewashing of the Revolution.

The Ducks are coming off series sweeps against the Somerset Patriots, the Barnstormers at Lancaster, and the Skeeters.  Monday's win over the York marks a season high eleventh straight victories.  They are to date undefeated in September and now lead the second-half Liberty Division standing by six games over second place New Britain.  The High Point Rockers have faded of late, dropping down to third place, one game under the .500 mark.

At 79-48 Long Island owns the Atlantic League's best overall record with 13 games left in the regular season.

I still do not know how they're doing it.  This is a remarkable run and a remarkable regular season.

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.

L.I. Ducks Take Series from High Point Rockers

From the desk of: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Duck defeat Rockers 2-1

I - HPR 6; LID 1

II - LID 4; HPR 2

III - LID 11; HPR 4

The much anticipated second-half showdown versus High Point goes to the Ducks.  After dropping Friday's opener at North Carolina, Long Island takes two straight from the Rockers and thus open a full one game Liberty Division lead.

On Sunday High Point leads 4-3 through five.  By the sixth however, the rout is on.  Long Island strikes for eight runs in the late innings en route to an 11-4 final margin of victory.  Lew Ford leads the hit parade with a 5 for 5 performance.  The Ducks stroke five extra base hits including home runs from Rey Fuentes and catcher Hector Sanchez.  Clint Freeman is 2 for 4 with three RBI.  All nine batters in the starting line-up record at least one hit, while seven players record multi-hit games as part of a 19 hit barrage.  Ducks starter Brandon Beachy earns his second victory since joining the fold despite yielding four earned runs on six hits and two walks through five innings with eight strikeouts.

The Flock return to the Pond where they open a four game series on Monday against the struggling Somerset Patriots whom are presently eight games below .500 and 5.5 games out of first.

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 ...

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: Look Who's Number One

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Free Baseball + Long Ball = First Place

Long Island Ducks: Complete Second Straight Sweep of Rival Somerset Patriots; Take Over Liberty Division Lead.

Make that six straight wins for the Long Island Ducks, and a three game sweep over the Somerset Patriots.  In fact, the Flock complete their second straight sweep of the Patriots within the last ten days.  Even better, Long Island moves into sole possession of first place, one game ahead of always problematic Somerset.

The Ducks take a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth of Wednesday's series finale at Somerset, but a passed ball charged to catcher Dioner Navarro allows the tying run to score.  And into extra innings they go.

As they've done all series, the Flock propel themselves to another victory via the long ball.  With two outs in the top of the eleventh, right fielder Anthony Vega hits only his second home run of the season off Somerset's Dustin Antolin to put Long Island ahead.  Ducks reliever Ashur Tolliver pitches himself into a jam in the bottom of the frame, but fans the final two batters of the game to secure Long Island's 4-3 victory. 

Tolliver is credited with his very first save of the season.  Dennis O'Grady gets credit for his fifth victory in relief this season for pitching a scoreless tenth inning.  In a no-decision effort, starter Matt Larkins surrenders just one earned run on five hits and two walks through five innings pitched.

Taylor Ard raises his average to .308 with a 4 for 5 day the plate with an RBI.  Despite going just 1 for 5 this day, Jordany Valdespin is second in the circuit and leads the Ducks with a .350 average.  With two more RBI, Lew Ford ranks fourth in the league with 66 RBI.

Long Island is second in the league behind Sugar Land with 83 home runs, while Somerset ranks last with just 44 home runs.  Otherwise the Ducks are number one in hits, and total bases, and rank second behind Sugar Land in runs, team batting, slugging, and OPS.

What rival Somerset lacks in hitting, they make up for on the mound.  They allow less earned runs and less hits than Long Island.  They lead the league in WHiP, strikeouts, and fewest walks allowed, and rank second in ERA and average against.

The Long Island Ducks and Somerset Patriots do not face each other for the rest of the regular season.  They both will make their own way towards capturing the division crown from here on out.
If they are to meet again for a fourth straight Liberty Division playoff, the Ducks have no choice but to win the second half division title.  The Patriots already did their part by winning the first half title. 

These teams faced off nine times in May with the Patriots winning six.  Mid July brings more of the same with Somerset sweeping a three game set for a 9-3 season series advantage.  But as July turns to August, Long Island reciprocates with a three game sweep of their own, then follow up with this latest conquest over the Patriots.  The regular season series ends locked at nine games apiece.

Did you expect anything less?

L.I. Ducks: John Brownell Sets Atlantic League All-Time Strikeout Record

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

John Brownell Sets Atlantic League 

All-Time Strikeout Record

Long Island Ducks: Flock Keep Pressure On Somerset With 10-0 Whitewashing of Road Warriors; Remain Two Games Back.

Three Long Island pitchers join forces in Saturday's 10-0 whitewashing of the Road Warriors at Bethpage Park.  Starter John Brownell takes charge of the first seven innings, allowing just three hits and three walks, and striking out four en route to his eighth victory of the season.  He faces 29 batters while throwing 114 pitches with 65 going for strikes.  Relievers Fernando Abad and Chris Pike close out the eighth and ninth respectively, allowing a combined two hits, a walk, and striking out three.

At the plate, the Ducks are powered by home runs from Jordany Valdespin, and Travis Snider (whose 66 RBI are second in the league), and four other extra base hits off the bats of Daniel Fields, Anthony Vega, Ramon Cabrera whom goes 3 for 5 with three RBI, and Lew Ford whom was recently recognized as the Atlantic League Player of the Month for July.

In the top of the third, John Brownell notches his first strikeout of the game against Road Warrior lead-off batter Daniel Aldrich.  More significantly, it marks the 738th strikeout of his Atlantic League career, thus setting the league's all-time record.  He adds three more before his night is through.

Long Island all of a sudden is the hottest team in the league, winning eight of their last ten, and nine of their last twelve.  They also remain within striking distance of the Patriots, just two games behind first place.

L.I. Ducks: Flock Overpower Somerset Patriots in Series Opener

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

First Victory Over Somerset Since May

GAME ONE

Patriots   5

Ducks    11

FINAL

Long Island Ducks: John Brownell Ties Atlantic League All-Time Strikeout Record.

A first inning home run by Patriot shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez off John Brownell had many in the crowd at Bethpage Ballpark pondering the potential historic night ahead.  But Lew Ford put them at ease in the bottom half of the frame by singling with the bases loaded and driving in two.  Three batters later, Travis Snider scores from third on a wild pitch giving the Ducks an early 3-1 lead.

Not for long, though ...

Right fielder Justin Pacchioli's double in the top half of the second drives home Somerset's second run of the game.

Then Jordany Valdespin strikes back.  His two-run home run in the bottom of the frame gives John Brownell and the Ducks some much needed breathing room.  The Ducks score an important sixth run in the fifth when Patriots starter David Kubiak issues Ramon Cabrera a bases-loaded walk.

In the top of the sixth, two runs on four straight hits knock John Brownell out of the box.  Somerset again loads the bases against reliever Dennis O'Grady, and score on a 4-3 put out (charged to Brownell), bringing the Patriots within one.

A four run outburst featuring a pair of doubles from Taylor Ard and David Washington in the sixth give the Ducks a commanding 10-5 lead.  Later in the eighth, Ard hits his 12th home run of the season, tying him with David Washington for the team lead.  Ard goes 2 for 4 with three RBI, and lifts his average above the .300 mark.

The bullpen chips in with four innings in relief of starter John Brownell.  They allow no runs, just two hits, one walk, and strikeout six.

• John Brownell leaves on the winning side of a (then) 6-5 game after facing four batters in the sixth.  He improves to 7-8 on the season.  His line against Somerset reads five earned runs on eight hits and a walk, with two strikeouts in five innings pitched.  He faces 23 batters, and throws 90 pitches with 66 (61%) going for strikes.  In the top of the fourth John Brownell strikes out his second batter of the game.  It marks the 737th strikeout of his Atlantic League career, tying him for the all-time lead in Atlantic League history.  His next strikeout will set a new league record.  Brownell's victory over Somerset also marks the 63rd of his Atlantic League career ranking him third all-time.

Monday's series opening victory improves Long Island's record to just 4-9 against the Patriots this season, and brings them within four games of the Liberty Division lead.