(Photo courtesy of Nick Betson)
(Hagerstown, Md., July 5, 2024) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars 7-2 on Friday evening in the opener of a three-game series at Meritus Park.
Long Island took a 1-0 lead three batters into the ballgame as Ivan Castillo launched a solo home run to right centerfield off Hagerstown starting pitcher Parker Markel. Hagerstown tied the game at one in the second versus Ducks starter Jimmy Robbins as Ozzie Abreu hustled down the line from third base on an error committed by Scott Kelly. The visitors made it 2-1 in their favor in the fourth when Castillo crossed the plate on a Markel wild pitch.
A Zach Racusin two-out RBI infield single in the sixth made it 3-1 Ducks, and the Flock broke the game wide open in the seventh as they scored four times for a 7-1 cushion, highlighted by a Nick Heath run-scoring triple, a sacrifice fly off the bat of Castillo, and a two-run home run to right center produced by Aaron Antonini.
Robbins (4-2) won his fourth consecutive start as the southpaw allowed just one unearned run on eight hits across five innings pitched, walking and striking out three. Markel (1-3) was tagged with the loss, surrendering two runs on three hits in five innings on the mound, walking and striking out a pair.
Castillo, Racusin, and Ryan McBroom had two hits apiece to lead the way offensively for Long Island.
The Ducks and Flying Boxcars continue their three-game set on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Meritus Park. Fans can follow all the action live on FloBaseball by CLICKING HERE. Right-hander Daniel Corcino (2-4, 5.53) toes the rubber for the Ducks against Flying Boxcars lefty Mike Kickham (4-4, 5.68).
Long Island returns home on Tuesday, July 9, to begin a three-game set with the York Revolution. 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). As fans exit the ballpark following the game, Ducks staff members will be handing out coupons for a special offer from Francesco’s Trattoria East Islip. It’s also a Triple Play Tuesday, and if the Ducks turn a triple play during the game, one lucky fan will be a grand prize winner of $25,000. 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 Ducks are in their 24th 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, led all MLB Partner Leagues in attendance in 2023, and have sold out a record 710 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 25-year history, the ALPB has sent over 1,400 players to MLB organizations while drawing over 47 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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