(Photo courtesy of Jim McKenzie)
(Staten Island, N.Y., Sept. 9, 2023) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Staten Island FerryHawks 7-6 in 11 innings on Saturday evening in the middle game of a three-game weekend series at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park.
The Ducks took a 2-0 lead against FerryHawks starting pitcher Ethan Skuija just four batters into the ballgame as Sam Travis belted a two-out, two-run run home over the left field wall and into the trees. The visitors took a 5-0 advantage in the third by way of an RBI base knock from Alejandro De Aza and a majestic two-run home run to left by Carlos Castro.
Staten Island sent ten batters to the plate in the home half of the third inning versus Long Island starter Ian Clarkin and scored six runs to take their first lead of the ballgame at 6-5, highlighted by an RBI ground out from Angel Aguilar, a two-run double from Chris Brito, and a two-RBI single off the bat of Kevin Krause.
The Flock evened up the contest at six apiece in the fourth thanks to an Alex Dickerson RBI double into the right field corner. Joe DeCarlo’s single in the top half of the eleventh frame brought in Brantley Bell from second base to put Long Island back out in front by the count of 7-6. Jimmy Yacabonis stranded the tying-run at third base after collecting back-to back strikeouts looking of Justin Williams and Kolby Johnson to notch his first save as a member of the Ducks as Long Island improved to 5-1 in extra-inning ballgames in 2023, including a 3-0 record when free baseball is being played by the Flock on the road.
Both starters tallied no-decisions on the night, as Clarkin gave up six runs (five earned) on two hits in four innings of work, walking five and striking out one, while Skuija allowed five runs on six hits in three innings pitched, walking one while striking out five. Jake Fishman (2-0) was the winner in relief after firing a scoreless inning on just one walk, while William Kirwan (1-1) suffered the loss, surrendering an unearned run on one hit in one inning on the mound.
Dickerson, De Aza, and Carlos Castro had two hits apiece as the Ducks won their fifth straight game and eleventh in their last 15 overall.
The Ducks and FerryHawks wrap their three-game set on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park. Fans can follow the action live on Flo Baseball by CLICKING HERE. Left-hander Kyle Lobstein (5-5, 5.72) toes the rubber for the Flock against FerryHawks righty Nick Beardsley (2-5, 7.63).
Long Island returns home on Friday, September 15, for their final home series of the regular season, a three-game set against the High Point Rockers. 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). It’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Night at the Ballpark, and the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive Ducks Seat Cushions, courtesy of Good Samaritan University Hospital. 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.
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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