Travis Snider launches two-run homer for Long Island
(New Britain, Conn., April 20, 2018) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the New Britain Bees 5-4 on Friday afternoon in the opening game of their 2018 spring training schedule at New Britain Stadium.
Long Island opened up an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning against Bees starter Andy Van Hekken. Jordany Valdespin scored the game’s opening run on a wild pitch, and Travis Snider followed with a two-run home run. The Ducks tacked on their fourth run of the day in the fourth on an RBI single by Dan Lyons that plated Daniel Fields.
New Britain closed the gap to 4-3 in the bottom of the fifth. James Skelton’s two-run single and Vinny Siena’s run-scoring single did the damage. It stayed that way until the bottom of the ninth when the Bees scored twice to win the game. Joe Poletsky’s two-out RBI single tied the game, and Siena’s RBI double ended the ballgame.
Neither starter factored into the decision. Ducks starter Andrew Barbosa tossed three perfect innings on the mound, striking out four batters. Ashur Tolliver, Rob Rogers, Wander Perez and Vinnie Pestano each pitched a scoreless inning of relief for the Ducks. Van Hekken lasted two and two-thirds innings, yielding three runs on four hits and a walk with three strikeouts. Elvin Ramirez collected the win with a scoreless ninth inning, and Tyler Levine suffered the loss, allowing two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning.
The Ducks continue their spring training schedule on Saturday afternoon when they welcome the Bees to Bethpage Ballpark as part of the Sixth Annual Fan Fest taking place that day. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., and the 2018 Ducks roster will be introduced along the first base line prior to the game. Admission to the event, including the spring training game against the Bees, will be free of charge. CLICK HERE for information regarding Fan Fest.
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 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 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.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
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