(Photos courtesy of Jim McKenzie)
(Lancaster, Pa., June 24, 2023) – The Long Island Ducks split a single admission doubleheader with the Lancaster Barnstormers on Saturday night at Clipper Magazine Stadium, taking game one 11-5 before dropping game two 7-3.
The Ducks struck for two first inning runs off Barnstormers starter Brandyn Sittinger in game one on Sam Travis’ RBI double to center field and Alex Dickerson’s RBI single to right. The Barnstormers answered with a run in the bottom of the inning on Andretty Cordero’s RBI single off Ducks starter Robert Stock. However, the Ducks got their two-run lead back in the third on Travis’ RBI groundout to short.
Brian Goodwin launched a leadoff solo homer to right-center in the fourth, making it a 4-1 game. A seven-run sixth inning then ballooned the Ducks lead to 11-1. A solo homer by right-center by Travis, a two-run single to right by Chance Sisco and a grand slam over the right field fence by Alejandro De Aza did the damage. Lancaster closed to 11-5 in the bottom of the inning on a double by Trace Loehr that plated three runs and an RBI double by Cordero, but they got no closer.
Stock (2-0) picked up the win, tossing five and one-third innings, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out three. Sittinger (3-4) suffered the loss, surrendering nine runs on eight hits and three walks over five and two-thirds innings with four strikeouts.
Travis led the Flock offensively with two hits, three RBIs and two runs. De Aza added two hits, four RBIs and a run, while Dickerson chipped in with two hits and an RBI.
Brantley Bell gave the Ducks a 2-0 lead in the second inning of game two with a two-run homer to right off Barnstormers starter Spencer Johnston. Lancaster tied the game in the bottom of the frame on a pair of unearned runs against Ducks starter Scott Harkin. RBI singles by Loehr and Cordero evened the score at two.
A sac fly to right by Marshall Rich in the third put the Barnstormers ahead 3-2. Melvin Mercedes and Wilson Garcia then both hit two-run home runs in the fourth to make it a 7-2 lead for Lancaster. Long Island rallied for a run in the ninth on back-to-back doubles by Goodwin and Bell and got the tying run to the plate, but they couldn’t complete the comeback.
Johnston (1-0) earned the win, tossing five innings of two-run ball, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out seven. Harkin (1-2) took the loss, conceding six runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks in three and one-third innings with seven strikeouts.
Bell led the Flock with two hits, three RBIs and a run. Goodwin added two hits and two runs.
The Ducks and Barnstormers wrap up their three-game series on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Clipper Magazine Stadium. Fans can follow all the action live on Flo Baseball by CLICKING HERE. Right-hander Joe Iorio (3-4, 5.29) toes the rubber for the Ducks against Barnstormers righty Brent Teller (3-3, 6.93).
Long Island returns home on Tuesday, June 27, to begin a three-game set against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. 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 1,500 fans in attendance will receive Ducks Foam Fingers, courtesy of Drake’s Cakes. It’s also a Triple Play Tuesday! If the Ducks turn a triple play during the game, one lucky fan will win $25,000. Simply sign up prior to first pitch at the Ticket Kiosk on the main concourse to be eligible. 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.
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball. Over 8.5 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)
Celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season in 2023, 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. ALPB has sent over 1,200 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 45 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks throughout its 25-year history. Please visit AtlanticLeague.com.
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