(Central Islip, N.Y., Aug. 19, 2023) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Charleston Dirty Birds 8-3 in 10 innings on Saturday night in the middle game of a three-game series before a past-capacity crowd of 6,013 at Fairfield Properties Ballpark.
The Ducks took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on Brantley Bell’s RBI single to left field off Dirty Birds starter Danny Wirchansky. It stayed that way until the top of the fifth when Justin O’Conner hit a two-run home run to right field off Ducks starter Justin Alintoff, putting Charleston in front 2-1.
Bobby Bradley’s RBI double down the right field line in the sixth made it a two-run game. However, Long Island rallied in the ninth to tie the game on Alex Dickerson’s mammoth solo homer to right-center and Bell’s RBI fielder’s choice.
Charleston answered with five runs in the 10th to go ahead for good at 8-3. O’Conner’s RBI single, RBI doubles by Clayton Mehlbauer and Dwight Smith Jr. and a two-run single by Telvin Nash did the damage.
Neither starter factored into the decision. Wirchansky tossed seven innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out four. Alintoff lasted five and two-thirds innings, conceding three runs on five hits and a walk with four strikeouts. Yaramil Hiraldo (1-0) collected the win despite allowing two runs on three hits in the ninth. Kevin Quackenbush (6-3) suffered the loss, surrendering five runs (four earned) on five hits and a walk in one-third of an inning.
Dickerson led the Ducks offense with two hits, an RBI, a run and a walk. Lew Ford and Carlos Castro each added two hits and a run as well.
The Ducks and Dirty Birds wrap up their three-game set on Sunday evening. Game time is slated for 5:05 p.m., with the Fairfield Properties Ballpark gates opening at 4:05 (3:50 for full season ticket holders). It’s Summer Safety Fun Night at the ballpark, presented by Good Samaritan University Hospital. Due to unforeseen delays, the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a voucher for a Ducks Drawstring Bag. The Ducks will announce the arrival of the bags via Webbed News, the Ducks weekly email newsletter. It’s also a Sunday Family Funday, presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Prior to the game, fans will be invited down for a Catch on the Field from 4:10 to 4:30. After the game, fans of all ages are also invited to take part in Kids Run the Bases. Left-hander Kyle Lobstein (3-3, 4.38) toes the rubber for the Ducks against Dirty Birds southpaw Kit Scheetz (6-10, 5.47).
Tickets to the game, and all Ducks home 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 the action live on Flo Baseball by 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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