(Central Islip, N.Y., June 3, 2022) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Staten Island FerryHawks 9-5 on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at Fairfield Properties Ballpark.
Mariel Bautista gave Staten Island a 1-0 lead in the second inning with a leadoff solo home run to left field off Ducks starter Joe Iorio. Dustin Woodcock answered in the third with a two-run homer to right field off FerryHawks starter Matt Solter to put the Ducks in front 2-1. Deven Marrero added an RBI single to center in the fourth to give Long Island a two-run cushion.
It stayed that way until the sixth when Alejandro De Aza launched a two-out grand slam to right-center field, widening the Ducks lead to 7-1. Bautista hit another homer in the seventh to close the gap to 7-2, but Sam Travis laced a two-out, two-run single to left in the eighth to make it a 9-2 lead for the Flock. Staten Island rallied for three runs in the ninth on a solo homer by Ricardo Cespedes, an RBI double by Javier Betancourt and an RBI single by Joseph Monge, but they couldn’t pull even.
Iorio (5-0) earned the win, tossing seven innings of two-run ball, allowing four hits and four walks with one strikeout. Solter (0-4) suffered the loss, surrendering seven runs on 11 hits and two walks in six innings while striking out three.
De Aza led the Flock offensively with three hits, four RBIs, two runs and a walk. Travis added three hits and two RBIs, while Rusney Castillo also chipped in with three hits.
The Ducks and FerryHawks continue their three-game series on Saturday 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). Following the game, all fans in attendance will be treated to a Fireworks Spectacular. It’s also a Lucky Seat Saturday, presented by Long Island MacArthur Airport. During the game, one lucky fan will win a free roundtrip for two to any of Breeze Airways’ 28 destinations. Left-hander Stephen Tarpley (0-2, 7.94) takes the mound for the Ducks against FerryHawks righty Jordan Simpson (0-2, 4.85).
Tickets for the game, and all Ducks games, are available by visiting the Fairfield Properties Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE. Those unable to make the game can follow all the action on the Long Island Ducks Broadcast Network. Live streaming HD video and audio will be available via BoxCast on LIDucks.com as well as on the Ducks official Facebook page and YouTube channel.
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball. Over 8 million fans have enjoyed the Ducks brand of affordable, fun entertainment at Fairfield Properties Ballpark since inception in 2000. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940-DUCK (3825).
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League is the first Partner League of Major League Baseball, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. The ALPB has sent over 1,000 players to MLB organizations while drawing 44 million fans to its family friendly ballparks over its 24-year history. For more information, please visit AtlanticLeague.com.
###