(Waldorf, Md., June 22, 2012) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 3-1 on Friday night in the first game of a three-game series at Regency Furniture Stadium.

The Ducks struck first with two runs in the opening inning against Blue Crabs starter Matthew Vasquez. Ray Navarrete scored on an error following a double by Brandon Sing, and Bryant Nelson hit a RBI single to right. Southern Maryland answered with a run in the third on a sacrifice fly to center by Paco Figueroa off Ducks starter Gustavo Chacin.

Long Island grabbed the run back in the fourth on a two-out RBI single to left by Kraig Binick, rounding out the scoring.

Chacin (2-2) was dominant in the victory, tossing a season-high eight innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out a season-best eight batters. Vasquez (4-2) suffered the loss, allowing three runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts in seven innings of work. Jon Hunton picked up his first save of the year with a scoreless ninth.

Navarrete, Nelson and Dan Lyons each had two hits to pace the Ducks offensively.

The Ducks and Blue Crabs continue their series on Saturday night. Game time is slated for 6:35 p.m. from Regency Furniture Stadium. Fans can follow the action live on the radio at MyCountry 96.1 FM and online at LIDucks.com by clicking the Listen Live icon on the homepage. Right-hander Bob Zimmermann takes the mound for the Ducks against Blue Crabs southpaw David Hunter Jones.

Long Island returns home on Thursday, June 28 as they host the Sugar Land Skeeters for the very first time. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 5:35. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive Quackers, courtesy of Newsday. Tickets for the game and all Ducks home games are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark Box Office, calling (631) 940-TIXX, or visiting www.liducks.com.

 GAME DATE: 06/22/2012 Long Island Ducks 3 AT Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 1 YTD YTD L Island AB R H BI AVG S Maryland AB R H BI AVG K.Binick RF 4 0 1 1 .289 P.Figueroa SS 2 0 1 1 .278 J.McOwen LF 5 0 0 0 .248 M.Daniel RF 4 0 1 0 .270 R.Navarrete 2B 5 1 2 0 .340 C.Hu 2B 4 0 0 0 .300 B.Sing DH 4 1 1 0 .234 C.Benjamin 1B 4 0 0 0 .296 B.Nelson 3B 4 0 2 1 .239 J.Gutierrez DH 4 0 1 0 .289 R.Gorecki CF 3 0 1 0 .248 M.Padgett 3B 3 0 1 0 .262 S.Williams 1B 3 0 0 0 .295 B.Barton LF 3 0 0 0 .285 J.Johnson C 4 0 0 0 .230 J.Owens CF 3 1 1 0 .242 D.Lyons SS 4 1 2 0 .284 R.Mercado C 2 0 0 0 .208 36 3 9 2 29 1 5 1 L Island 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 - 3 9 0 S Maryland 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 5 1 2B--B.Sing (13), D.Lyons (4), M.Daniel (12), J.Owens (11). RBI--K.Binick (15), B.Nelson (35), P.Figueroa (25). HP--K.Binick (14). SF--P.Figueroa (3). SH--R.Mercado (0). SB--K.Binick (15), R.Gorecki (4). E--B.Barton (3). LOB--L Island 11, S Maryland 4. DP--R. Navarrete(2B) - D. Lyons(SS) - S. Williams(1B). YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA L Island G.Chacin (W,2-2) 8.0 5 1 1 1 8 0 4.47 J.Hunton (S,1) 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.26 9 5 1 1 1 8 0 S Maryland V.Vasquez (L,4-2) 7.0 7 3 3 3 8 0 4.44 E.Morlan 0.1 1 0 0 1 0 0 2.96 C.Mobley 1.2 1 0 0 0 1 0 3.65 9 9 3 3 4 9 0 HB--V.Vasquez (1). SO--J.McOwen, R.Navarrete, B.Sing, R.Gorecki, S.Williams 2, J.Johnson 2, D.Lyons, M.Daniel, C.Hu, J.Gutierrez, M.Padgett, B.Barton 2, J.Owens, R.Mercado. BB--B.Sing, B.Nelson, R.Gorecki, S.Williams, P.Figueroa. BF--G.Chacin 29 (189), J.Hunton 3 (28), V.Vasquez 32 (325), E.Morlan 3 (96), C.Mobley 6 (55). P-S--G.Chacin 87-60, J.Hunton 9-6, V.Vasquez 110-72, E.Morlan 18-10, C.Mobley 16-12. T--2:31. A--5479 Rain delay of 45 minutes prior to start of game Umpires: Plate Ump - Matt Beaver, Field Ump #1 - Matt Hensel, Field Ump #2 - Bill Reuter