Long Island Ducks Bow To Honey Hunters In First Ever Visit to Gastonia

From the desk: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

GAME ONE

Gastonia Honey Hunters   13

Long Island Ducks             11

FINAL/BOX

Home Team Holds Their Ground Against Long Island Invaders

After losing two of three on their home turf, the Flock makes their first-ever venture to Gastonia, North Carolina, where this weekend they open a three-game series against the expansion Honey Hunters.

Not a game for the faint of heart, Long Island starter Jhoendri Herrera allows seven earned runs on seven hits and four walks in just 2.2 innings pitched.  Gastonia starter Jeff Gause fares no better, surrendering seven runs (four earned) on eight hits and one walk in only 4.1 innings pitched.  He yields home runs to Ryan Jackson, first baseman Clint Freeman, and Johnni Turbo.  

With two runs in the top of the fourth, Long Island ties the game at seven.  However, facing Corey Howard in relief of Herrera, the Honey Hunters pull away with three runs in the bottom half of the frame.  

Before being dispatched to the showers, Jeff Gause surrenders his eighth run in the fifth.  Facing Carl Brice in relief of Gause, Ryan Jackson's sac-fly in the sixth brings the Ducks within one.  That is until Gastonia takes an 11-9 lead in the bottom of the sixth.

But you knew it wouldn't stop there.  After all, through the first six innings, Long Island scored in every inning but the second, and Gastonia scored in every inning but the fifth.  Be that as it may, Juan De La Cruz singles home Clint Freeman, and Steve Lombardozzi drives home another with a sacrifice fly to left field, tying the game at eleven.

However, Long Island's bullpen does not hold its ground.  Hector Cervenka surrenders the go-ahead run in the seventh, and Anderson DeLeon gives up an insurance run in the ninth en route to Gastonia's 13-11 win.  Cervenka takes the loss.

Clint Freeman leads Long Island with four hits, and Ryan Jackson leads Long Island with four runs batted in.

The first place Ducks still own a one-game lead over the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.

Long Island Ducks Take Two Of Three From West Virginia Power

From the desk: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Long Island Ducks def. West Virginia Power; 2-1

I - LID 15; WVP 3

II - LID 4; WVP 2

III - WVP 5; LID 2

West Virginia salvages the series finale as Long Island takes two of three from the Power

BOX: Game One 6/15/21 - Long Island shorts circuits the visiting West Virginia Power while generating their own amperage to the tune of 15 runs on 15 hits.  However, nine of the Ducks runs are unearned.  Shortstop Ryan Jackson leads the Flock going 3 for 4 with a double, home run, and three runs batted in.  Center fielder Ray Fuentes is 2 for 4 with a home run and four runs batted in.  The ageless one, Lew Ford and second baseman Steve Lombardozzi drive home two runs apiece.  Long Island starter Mike Bolsinger allows three runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts in a winning effort.  Three members of the bullpen secure the final 3.1 innings in scoreless fashion. 

BOX: Game Two 6/16/21 - Ducks right-hander Vin Mazzaro allows two runs, a two-run home run in the fourth by third baseman Jimmy Paredes, but otherwise yields six hits and two walks through six innings pitched for the win. Rey Fuentes crosses the plate with Long Island's first run, and Charlie Tilson doubles home Sal Giardina in the second. Hector Sanchez then homers in the third, and Steve Lombardozzi closes out the Ducks scoring with a home run in the fifth.  

BOX: Game Three 6/17/21 - Ducks starter Brendan Feldmann outduels his opponent in the early going, allowing a lone run on five hits and two walks through 5.1 innings pitched.  West Virginia right-hander Elih Villanueva exits on the losing side after yielding two runs on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts in five innings pitched.  With one out in the top of the sixth, Power first baseman Edwin Espinal homers to left field off Brady Dragmire in relief of Feldmann, tying the game at two.  Long Island's bullpen blows a fuse in the eighth as Power right fielder Rymer Liriano connects off Clint Freeman on a three-run home run for a 5-2 lead the final margin of victory.  Freeman takes the loss.

Long Island Ducks Take Rubber Game From High Point Rockers

From the desk: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

The comeback Quacks win a thriller at the Pond and take the series against High Point, two games to one.

On Tuesday, the Ducks were limited to just two runs on four hits in a series-opening loss against the Rockers.  Starter Mike Bolsinger took the loss.  Right fielder Johnni Turbo was 2 for 3 with a double and triple.  

• FINAL: Long Island 2; HIGH POINT 7

Long Island wins Wednesday in a rout, twelve runs on twelve hits, highlighted by a seven-run fifth.  The Ducks get home runs from Ryan Jackson and Jesse Berardi.  LJ Mazzilli goes 2 for 5 with two runs batted in and two runs scored.  Starter Akeel Morris yields no runs on just three hits and two walks with six strikeouts through seven innings for the win.

• FINAL: Long Island 12; HIGH POINT 2

High Point opens the scoring with a run in the first and two more in the second in Thursday's affair.  But Long Island responds with two runs in the bottom half of the second.  Right fielder Rey Fuentes and  Hector Sanchez each drive in a run apiece.  The Rockers rally for a fourth run in the visitor's sixth for a three-run edge.  With two runners in scoring position in the sixth, Ryan Jackson's sacrifice fly scores Mazzilli; first baseman Brock Stassi scores on a fielder's choice tying the game at four.  The Rockers retake the lead with two runs in the eighth.  Then with the bases loaded in the home ninth. Brock Stassi's single drives home two runs for the tie.  With one out and Mazzillii at third and Stassi at first, and Ryan Jackson at the bat, Long Island executes a successful double-steal.  Stassi takes second while Mazzilli slides home with the winning run.

• FINAL: Long Island 7; HIGH POINT 6

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.