Ducks to play for Atlantic League Championship for second consecutive season, sixth time in franchise history
(Central Islip, N.Y., Sept. 26, 2017) – For the second year in a row, the Long Island Ducks have punched their ticket to the Atlantic League Championship Series. The Ducks earned their fifth Liberty Division Championship in the past seven seasons and sixth division title in franchise history with a 3-1 series victory over the Somerset Patriots in the Liberty Division Championship Series. Long Island will face the York Revolution in the championship round after York claimed its third Freedom Division title in team history with a 3-1 series win over the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.
SERIES SCHEDULE
| Game One |
Revolution at Ducks | 6:35 p.m. | Bethpage Ballpark |
| Game Two | Revolution at Ducks | 6:35 p.m. | Bethpage Ballpark |
| Game Three | Ducks at Revolution | 6:30 p.m. | PeoplesBank Park |
| Game Four* | Ducks at Revolution | 6:30 p.m. | PeoplesBank Park |
| Game Five* | Ducks at Revolution | 1:00 p.m. | PeoplesBank Park |
| * – If Necessary |
HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY
The Atlantic League’s 20th Championship Series will feature a rematch of the 2011 Championship Series between the Ducks and Revolution. Long Island took the opening game of the series 1-0 at Bethpage Ballpark behind Mike Loree’s seven scoreless innings and 10 strikeouts. However, the Revolution responded with three consecutive victories to take win their second consecutive championship, outscoring the Ducks 24-9 in that span. The series has stood as the only postseason matchup between the Ducks and Revolution until 2017.
The all-time regular season series between Long Island and York has been extremely competitive. In 211 meetings between the two teams, the Ducks hold a 106-105 advantage. The Ducks also boast a 59-46 record against the Revolution at Bethpage Ballpark during the regular season, though the Revolution have a 59-47 edge at PeoplesBank Park. Long Island claimed the 2017 season series between the two sides, taking 11 of the 20 meetings. The Ducks and Revs split 10 games on Long Island this year but proved to be road warriors, winning six of 10 games in York. The first half of the season saw the Ducks dominate the series, going 7-3 against the Revolution. However, York bounced back in the second half with a 6-4 advantage.
ROSTERS
Below are the active Championship Series rosters for the Long Island Ducks and York Revolution (players listed alphabetically by position):
| LONG ISLAND DUCKS | YORK REVOLUTION |
|
| PITCHERS |
PITCHERS | |
| John Brownell (RHP) | Brad Allen (RHP) |
|
| Patrick Crider (LHP) | Hawtin Buchanan (RHP) | |
| Amalio Diaz (RHP) | Michael Click (RHP) | |
| Jake Dunning (RHP) | Jake Ezell (RHP) | |
| Jake Fisher (LHP) | Frank Gailey (LHP) | |
| James Jones (RHP) | Jay Gause (RHP) | |
| Bruce Kern (RHP) | Jared Gaynor (LHP) | |
| Matt Larkins (RHP) | Chase Huchingson (LHP) | |
| Matt Marsh (RHP) | Victor Mateo (RHP) | |
| Dennis O’Grady (RHP) | Grant Sides (RHP) | |
| Dustin Richardson (LHP) | Joe Van Meter (RHP) | |
| Rob Rogers (RHP) | Luke Westphal (LHP) | |
| Zac Treece (RHP) | Logan Williamson (LHP) | |
| CATCHERS | CATCHERS | |
| Audie Afenir | Jay Carp | |
| Alex Burg | Luis Cruz | |
| Isaias Tejeda | ||
| INFIELDERS | INFIELDERS | |
| Giovanny Alfonzo | Michael Burgess | |
| Ruben Gotay | Ryan Dent | |
| Dan Lyons | Telvin Nash | |
| Elmer Reyes | Rubi Silva | |
| Angelo Songco | Chase Simpson | |
| OUTFIELDERS | OUTFIELDERS | |
| Delta Cleary Jr. | Alonzo Harris | |
| Lew Ford | Jared Mitchell | |
| Jordan Hinshaw | Dayron Varona | |
| Marc Krauss | Travis Witherspoon | |
| Angelo Songco | ||
| COACHES | COACHES | |
| Kevin Baez – Manager | Mark Mason – Manager | |
| Billy Horn – Pitching Coach | Paul Fletcher – Pitching Coach | |
| Lew Ford – Bench Coach | Enohel Polanco – Bench/Third Base Coach | |
| Bud Harrelson – First Base Coach | ||
| George Kantzian – Bullpen Catcher |
PITCHING MATCHUPS
The following are the probable pitching matchups for the Atlantic League Championship Series (statistics provided are 2017 records and ERA in Atlantic League play):
Game One
Revolution: RHP Jay Gause (10-4, 3.67 ERA) at Ducks: RHP Matt Larkins (9-7, 3.69 ERA)
Game Two
Revolution: LHP Frank Gailey (14-9, 4.11 ERA) at Ducks: LHP Jake Fisher (0-0, 2.76 ERA)
Game Three
Ducks: RHP John Brownell (10-5, 3.44 ERA) at Revolution: RHP Victor Mateo (6-9, 4.38 ERA)
Game Four
Ducks: RHP Jake Dunning (2-3, 3.64 ERA) at Revolution: LHP Logan Williamson (6-9, 5.20 ERA)
Game Five
Ducks: TBA at Revolution: TBA
FOLLOW ALONG
Those unable to make it out to the ballpark can follow all the action on the Long Island Ducks Broadcast Network. Live streaming HD video and audio will be available via BoxCast on the Ducks’ official Facebook page, YouTube channel and at LIDucks.com.
PROMOTIONS AND TICKET LINKS
The first 500 fans in attendance for Games One and Two at Bethpage Ballpark will receive Ducks Thundersticks. Thursday’s Game Two will also be a Thirsty Thursday. The Duck Club restaurant/bar, normally reserved for VIP/season ticket holders, will be open for all fans to enjoy. There will be both food and drink specials, including half price domestics.
Tickets to all Ducks home postseason games are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE.
Those wishing to attend Games Three, Four and Five at PeoplesBank Park can purchase tickets by calling (717) 801-4487 or visiting www.yorkrevolution.com.
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15{2db62e8169997a8d599beca7d6013ac1e46056278d69ddd3df039f4c0be21f7d} of the US population.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
###