Long Island racks up nine runs and 11 hits in blowout Game One win over Somerset
(Central Islip, N.Y., Sept. 19, 2018) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Somerset Patriots 9-2 on Wednesday night in Game One of the Liberty Division Championship Series at Bethpage Ballpark. Long Island now leads the best-of-five series one game to none.
Long Island opened the scoring with a three-run third inning off Patriots starter Vince Molesky. Daniel Fields’ two-run triple down the right field line and an RBI single to center by Lew Ford did the damage. One inning later, Jordany Valdespin drove in a run with a triple to right and then came home on a throwing error, extending the lead to 5-0.
Somerset closed to within 5-2 with single runs in the fifth and sixth innings off Ducks starter Matt Larkins on an RBI single by Craig Massey and a solo homer by Ramon Flores. However, two runs in the bottom of the sixth pushed Long Island’s lead back to five at 7-2. A sac fly to center by Fields and an RBI single to right by Ford highlighted the inning. An error that plated David Washington and a sac fly to center by Valdespin in the seventh rounded out the scoring.
Larkins (1-0) earned the win, tossing six innings of two-run ball, allowing eight hits and one walk while striking out four. Molesky (0-1) took the loss, surrendering five runs (four earned) on nine hits and a walk over five innings with four strikeouts. Fernando Abad, Taylor Grover and Jose Cuas each tossed a scoreless inning of relief for the Ducks to secure the victory.
Valdespin led the Flock offensively with three hits, two RBIs and three runs scored, finishing just a homer shy of the cycle. Ford added three hits and two RBIs, while Fields drove in three runs.
The Ducks and Patriots return to the field on Thursday night for Game Two of the Liberty Division Championship Series. Game time is slated for 6:35 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 5:35 (5:20 for full season ticket holders). It will be another Unused Ticket Day at the ballpark. Fans who could not make it to a game earlier this season and are still in possession of their unused tickets can exchange them at the box office for a ticket of equal or lesser value to Game Two, subject to availability. CLICK HERE for more information about Unused Ticket Days.
Tickets for the game, and all Ducks home playoff games, are on sale now. Fans can purchase their tickets by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX, CLICKING HERE or visiting the Ducks Mobile App. Those unable to make the game can follow all the action on the Long Island Ducks Broadcast Network. Live streaming HD video and audio will be available via BoxCast on the Ducks official Facebook page, YouTube channel and at LIDucks.com.
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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Game Date: 09/19/2018 Somerset Patriots 2 AT Long Island Ducks 9 YTD YTD Somerset AB R H BI AVG L Island AB R H BI AVG Massey, C 2B 4 0 1 1 .250 Valdespin, J 2B 4 3 3 2 .750 Rodriguez, A SS 4 0 1 0 .250 Fields, D CF 4 1 1 3 .250 Chavez, E DH 4 0 1 0 .250 Ford, L DH 5 0 3 2 .600 Boyd, J 1B 4 0 0 0 .000 Ard, T 3B 5 0 2 0 .400 Flores, R LF 4 1 3 1 .750 Washington, D 1B 4 1 0 0 .000 Coronado, N 3B 3 0 0 0 .000 Cabrera, R C 3 1 1 0 .333 Trapp, J RF 4 1 2 0 .500 Silva, R LF 3 1 0 1 .000 Fransoso, M CF 3 0 0 0 .000 Williams, M RF 4 0 0 0 .000 Nester, J C 3 0 0 0 .000 Lyons, D SS 2 2 1 0 .500 33 2 8 2 34 9 11 8 Somerset 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 - 2 8 3 L Island 0 0 3 2 0 2 2 0 x - 9 11 0 2B--Trapp, J RF (1), Valdespin, J 2B (1), Ard, T 3B (1). 3B--Valdespin, J 2B (1), Fields, D CF (1). HR--Flores, R LF (1). RBI--Massey, C 2B (1), Flores, R LF (1), TOTALS 2 (0), Valdespin, J 2B 2 (2), Fields, D CF 3 (3), Ford, L DH 2 (2), Silva, R LF (1), TOTALS 8 (0). SF--Valdespin, J 2B (1), Fields, D CF (1). SB--Washington, D 1B (1). E--Massey, C 2B 2 (2), Fransoso, M CF (1). LOB--Somerset 6, L Island 8. DP--D. Lyons(SS) - J. Cuas(P) - D. Washington(1B), D. Lyons(SS) - D. Washington(1B). YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Somerset Molesky, V (L,0-1) 5.0 9 5 4 1 4 0 7.20 Molleken, D 1.0 2 2 1 1 2 0 9.00 Huchingson, C 1.0 0 2 1 3 0 0 9.00 Kensing, L 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0.00 8 11 9 6 5 8 0 L Island Larkins, M (W,1-0) 6.0 8 2 2 1 4 1 3.00 Abad, F 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 Grover, T 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0.00 Cuas, J 1.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.00 9 8 2 2 2 7 1 WP--Huchingson, C (1). SO--Rodriguez, A, Chavez, E, Boyd, J 2, Fransoso, M, Nester, J 2, Fields, D, Ard, T 3, Washington, D 2, Williams, M 2. BB--Coronado, N, Fransoso, M, Washington, D, Cabrera, R, Silva, R, Lyons, D 2. BF--Molesky, V 25 (25), Molleken, D 6 (6), Huchingson, C 7 (7), Kensing, L 3 (3), Larkins, M 26 (26), Abad, F 3 (3), Grover, T 3 (3), Cuas, J 3 (3). P-S--Molesky, V 76-51, Molleken, D 29-17, Huchingson, C 28-14, Kensing, L 13-10, Larkins, M 84-58, Abad, F 12-8, Grover, T 10-7, Cuas, J 12-6. T--2:40. A--2680 Plate Umpire - Jorge Teran, Field Umpire #1 - Fred DeJesus, Field Umpire #2 - Frank Iurilli, Field Umpire #3 - Derek Moccia