Eight-run seventh gives Flock series-opening victory

(Central Islip, N.Y., July 1, 2016) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Sugar Land Skeeters 8-4 on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at Bethpage Ballpark.

GAME AUDIO: Highlights from the comeback victory

POSTGAME VIDEO: Kevin Baez, Mark Blackmar and Ruben Gotay talk about the win

The Skeeters took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-out, two-run single by Ricky Hague off Ducks starter Mark Blackmar. It remained that way until the top of the seventh when a two-out, two-run home run by Wilfredo Rodriguez increased Sugar Land’s advantage to four.

The Ducks responded with eight runs in the bottom of the seventh to take an 8-4 lead. Bases loaded walks to Matt Wessinger and Anthony Vega, RBI fielder’s choices from Fehlandt Lentini and Cody Puckett, an RBI single by Delta Cleary Jr. and a two-run triple by Ruben Gotay highlighted the inning.

Blackmar (6-2) earned the win, tossing seven innings, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out four. Skeeters reliever Andrew Johnston (5-1) suffered the loss, giving up four runs (two earned) on two hits in one inning. Gallagher did not factor into the decision but pitched six scoreless innings, yielding five hits and two walks with nine strikeouts.

Eight of the nine Ducks batters earned hits in the game. Vega led the Flock with two hits, while Gotay drove in two runs.

The Ducks and Skeeters continue their three-game set on Saturday night. Game time is set for 6:35 p.m. with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 5:35 (5:20 for full season ticket holders). Following the game, all fans in attendance will be treated to a Grucci Fireworks Extravaganza, presented by The Rinx at Hidden Pond Park. Ducks staff members will also be handing out coupons for $10 off a purchase of $50 or more at Dick’s Sporting Goods to fans as they exit the ballpark following the fireworks show. Right-hander John Brownell (4-3, 3.11 ERA) takes the mound for the Ducks against Skeeters lefty Aaron Thompson (3-1, 3.60 ERA).

Tickets to the game, and all Ducks home games, are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE. Those unable to make the game can follow all the action live on the Ducks’ flagship radio station, 103.9-FM LI News Radio. Streaming video and audio will also be available online via the Ducks official YouTube channel by CLICKING HERE.

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 34 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{508e0238204740d3d9c141f5965096b8721e890fc8446b80b243ba5070871f7e} of the US population.

For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.

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 Game Date: 07/01/2016 Sugar Land Skeeters 4 AT Long Island Ducks 8 YTD YTD Sugar Land AB R H BI AVG L Island AB R H BI AVG Prince, J 2B 4 1 1 0 .278 Vega, A LF 4 0 2 1 .293 Tosoni, R CF 4 0 0 0 .322 Lentini, F RF 5 1 0 1 .319 Barfield, J LF 3 1 1 0 .323 Cleary Jr., D CF 3 1 1 1 .289 Scott, T 1B 4 0 0 0 .244 Puckett, C 2B 4 1 1 1 .281 Hague, R 3B 4 0 2 2 .273 Lyons, D SS 4 1 1 0 .319 Young, D DH 4 0 0 0 .230 Gotay, R DH 2 1 1 2 .290 Matthes, K RF 3 0 0 0 .235 Dowd, M C 3 1 1 0 .293 Weems, B SS 4 1 1 0 .198 Blanke, M 1B 4 1 1 0 .232 Rodriguez, W C 4 1 2 2 .245 Wessinger, M 3B 3 1 1 1 .208 34 4 7 4 32 8 9 7 Sugar Land 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 - 4 7 2 L Island 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 x - 8 9 0 2B--Rodriguez, W C (6). 3B--Gotay, R DH (1). HR--Rodriguez, W C (4). RBI--Hague, R 3B 2 (22), Rodriguez, W C 2 (13), TOTALS 4 (0), Vega, A LF (30), Lentini, F RF (36), Cleary Jr., D CF (11), Puckett, C 2B (37), Gotay, R DH 2 (24), Wessinger, M 3B (17), TOTALS 7 (0). HP--Dowd, M C (7). CS--Cleary Jr., D CF 2 (2). E--Prince, J 2B (6), Hague, R 3B 2 (14). LOB--Sugar Land 5, L Island 6. DP--R. Tosoni(CF) - W. Rodriguez(C), J. Prince(2B) - B. Weems(SS) - T. Scott(1B). YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Sugar Land Gallagher, S 6.0 5 0 0 2 9 0 3.15 Rearick, C 0.0 1 4 4 3 0 0 6.48 Johnston, A (L,5-1) 1.0 2 4 2 0 0 0 1.03 Velasquez, J 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 6.75 8 9 8 6 5 10 0 L Island Blackmar, M (W,6-2) 7.0 7 4 4 0 4 1 2.72 De La Rosa, E 1.0 0 0 0 1 2 0 2.73 Diaz, A 1.0 0 0 0 1 2 0 2.60 9 7 4 4 2 8 1 WP--Johnston, A (3). HB--Rearick, C (3). SO--Prince, J, Tosoni, R 2, Scott, T, Young, D, Weems, B 2, Rodriguez, W, Vega, A, Cleary Jr., D, Puckett, C, Lyons, D, Gotay, R, Dowd, M, Blanke, M 2, Wessinger, M 2. BB--Barfield, J, Matthes, K, Vega, A, Cleary Jr., D, Gotay, R 2, Wessinger, M. BF--Gallagher, S 23 (353), Rearick, C 5 (114), Johnston, A 6 (132), Velasquez, J 4 (134), Blackmar, M 28 (325), De La Rosa, E 4 (113), Diaz, A 4 (106). P-S--Gallagher, S 91-59, Rearick, C 25-8, Johnston, A 19-10, Velasquez, J 18-12, Blackmar, M 100-66, De La Rosa, E 17-8, Diaz, A 22-12. T--3:18. A--5733 Rain delay of one hour, 47 minutes before first pitch...Rain delay of 36 minutes in bottom of fifth...Aaron Thompson ejected in bottom of seventh for arguing balls and strikes Plate Umpire - Richard Katz, Field Umpire #1 - Warren Nicholson, Field Umpire #2 - Tom Gandolfo Jr.