Jordany Valdespin leads the way with four hits and three RBI
(Central Islip, N.Y., April 23, 2018) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Long Island Black Sox, 14-0 on Monday afternoon in a spring training game at Bethpage Ballpark.
Long Island jumped out to an early 4-0 lead with a run in the first inning and three more in the second. An RBI single by Lew Ford, an error that scored Daniel Fields and a two-run triple by Jordany Valdespin highlighted the scoring. The Ducks doubled their lead to eight with a four-run fourth. Tyler Holt’s RBI single, Travis Snider’s two-run double and Ford’s RBI double did the damage.
Three more runs in the fifth inning extended the Ducks lead to 11-0. A pair of errors which scored David Washington and Fields, along with an RBI double by Valdespin, accounted for the offense. Ford’s RBI single in the sixth and Washington’s two-run double in the eighth rounded out the scoring.
Jair Jurrjens started for Long Island and pitched a perfect first inning. Bennett Parry followed with four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out 10 of the 16 hitters he faced. Dennis O’Grady, Wander Perez, Rob Rogers, Ashur Tolliver and Vinnie Pestano each threw a perfect inning of relief for the Ducks, combining for seven strikeouts. As a team, Long Island struck out 18 Black Sox batters.
Valdespin paced the offense with four hits, coming a homer shy of the cycle, and three RBI. Ford finished with three hits and three RBI, while Snider and Washington each had two doubles and drove in two runs. The teams played an extra two innings following the game’s official conclusion, with the final score ending as 16-1 in favor of the Flock.
The Ducks wrap up their spring training schedule on Tuesday afternoon with a second consecutive game against the local amateur Black Sox. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Bethpage Ballpark. Admission to the game will be free for Ducks season ticket holders, while a $5 donation to the QuackerJack Foundation will apply for the general public.
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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