(Central Islip, N.Y., Sept. 13, 2026) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars 7-6 on Tuesday night in Game One of the North Division Championship Series at Fairfield Properties Ballpark. The Ducks now lead the best-of-five series one game to none.
Hagerstown struck first in the top of the second inning on a two-out, three-run home run to right field by Jared Carr off Ducks starter Leonardo Taveras. Three more runs came home for the visitors in the third on Danny Ortiz’s solo homer to left-center and Jordan Peyton’s two-run single up the middle.
Long Island answered with a four-run third inning against Flying Boxcars starter Connor Curlis to cut their deficit to 6-4. Alsander Womack’s solo homer to left, Wilmer Difo’s RBI double down the left field line and sacrifice flies off the bats of Henry Kusiak and Gavin Collins highlighted the inning. It stayed that way until the sixth when Marcus Chiu tied the game with a 413-foot two-out, two-run home run to left field.
The Ducks grabbed a 7-6 lead in the seventh on Difo’s two-out, two-strike RBI single through the left side, scoring Chris Roller. Rafael Kelly followed with a 1-2-3 eighth inning, and Ramon Santos struck out the side in the ninth to earn the save.
Neither starter factored into the decision. Taveras lasted two and two-thirds innings, giving up six runs on six hits and three walks. Curlis pitched five and two-thirds innings, conceding six runs (four earned) on four hits and a walk with eight strikeouts. Sal Romano (1-0) picked up the win after recording the final out of the seventh. Rafael Sanchez (0-1) took the loss, giving up an unearned run on one hit in one and one-third innings with two strikeouts.
Difo and Chiu each led the Ducks offensively with two hits, two RBIs and a run.
The Ducks and Flying Boxcars continue the North Division Championship Series with Game Two on Wednesday night. Game time is slated for 6:35 p.m., with the Fairfield Properties Ballpark gates opening at 5:35 (5:20 for full season ticket holders). The first 500 fans in attendance will receive Long Island vs. Everybody Playoff Rally Towels. It’s also an Unused Ticket Day. Fans who were unable to make it out to a ballgame earlier this season and are still in possession of their unused tickets can exchange them for tickets of equal or lesser value to the game at the box office, subject to availability.
Tickets for the game, and all Ducks playoff games, are now available and can be purchased by visiting the ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE. Those unable to make the game can follow all the action on Dugout TV, powered by HomeTeam Network. Subscribe today by CLICKING HERE.
The Long Island Ducks are entering their 26th season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip, N.Y. They are the all-time leader in wins and attendance in Atlantic League history, have led all MLB Partner Leagues in total attendance for five consecutive seasons, and have sold out a record 730 games all-time. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940-DUCK (3825).
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
Celebrating its third decade, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. Over its 27-year history, the ALPB has sent over 1,450 players to MLB organizations while drawing nearly 50 million fans to its 10 state-of-the-art ballparks that stretch from New York to North Carolina. Follow the action on DugoutTV.org.
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