Four earn second team nods; Garceau named September Pitcher of the Month

(Central Islip, N.Y., Oct. 15, 2013) – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball today announced the 2013 Postseason Awards recipients. Second baseman Josh Barfield, third baseman Bryant Nelson, outfielder Joash Brodin and starting pitcher Dontrelle Willis all received second team honors.

Barfield compiled a .295 batting average in 86 games during the regular season to go along with seven home runs, 36 RBI and 22 doubles. The former Major Leaguer also led the Flock with four four-hit games this season. He followed that up by leading Long Island with two homers and six RBI during the playoffs including a game-winning three-run home run in the eighth inning of Game One in the Atlantic League Championship Series against Somerset.

Nelson put together another stellar season for Long Island, earning the starting third baseman spot for the Liberty Division at the Atlantic League All-Star Game in July. He led the Ducks with 71 RBI, 144 hits and 30 doubles, posted a .298 batting average, good for 10th in the league, launched 11 home runs and scored 72 runs in 124 games. The switch hitter was also the team-leader with 43 multi-hit games. In the playoffs, the fourth-year Duck hit .278 with four RBI and four runs scored while picking up a game-winning RBI single in the sixth inning of Game Two in the Championship Series.

Brodin, who played his second season with the Flock in 2013, was the Liberty Division’s starting left fielder at the 2013 Midsummer Classic. The switch hitter compiled a .307 batting average in 106 games and led the Ducks with 79 runs scored. In addition, he totaled 11 home runs, 49 RBI, 128 hits, 21 doubles and 14 stolen bases. For his efforts, he was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks organization in August and helped Single-A Visalia to the North Division Finals in the California League.

Willis, a nine-year Major League veteran, was one of the league’s best pitchers this season. In 14 starts, the southpaw went 5-4 with a miniscule 2.56 ERA and three complete games. The 2003 National League Rookie of the Year struck out 52 batters in 87 and two-thirds innings of work. His stellar pitching earned him the start for the Liberty Division at the All-Star Game, and he tossed a perfect inning to open the game. It also earned him a contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization in August, where he helped lead the Salt Lake Bees to the Pacific Coast League Championship Series.

In addition, starting pitcher Shaun Garceau was named the Atlantic League’s Pitcher of the Month for September. After joining the Ducks from Kansas City of the American Association, the right-hander went 2-1 with a 1.17 ERA in three starts. He yielded just three runs and four walks while striking out 17 batters in 23 innings of work. In two postseason starts, Garceau posted a 3.95 ERA and 11 strikeouts while earning the win in Game Two of the Atlantic League Championship Series.

The complete list of 2013 Atlantic League postseason honors can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.

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.

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