(Staten Island, N.Y., Sept. 8, 2026) – The Long Island Ducks split a single admission doubleheader with the Staten Island FerryHawks on Tuesday morning at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park, winning game one 6-0 while dropping game two 2-0.
The Ducks jumped in front 1-0 in the top half of the first inning in game one on Jorge Bonifacio’s sacrifice fly to right field off FerryHawks starting pitcher Onelki Garcia. The Flock scored four times in the sixth for a 5-0 advantage, highlighted by run-scoring base hits from Kole Kaler and Wilmer Difo, an Anthony Garcia sacrifice fly and an RBI infield single off the bat of Jorge Bonifacio. The hit gave Bonifacio 104 runs batted in, surpassing Ray Navarrete’s 103 RBIs in 2008 for the most in a single season in franchise history. Chris Roller’s RBI base hit closed out the scoring in the seventh, as the visitors tallied their fourth shutout victory of the season.
In his first start of the campaign, Leonardo Taveras (4-0) picked up the win, as the right-hander fired five scoreless innings on just three hits allowed to go along with a season-high seven strikeouts. Garcia (0-2) was tagged with the loss, surrendering one run on five hits in five innings of work, walking five while striking out six.
Staten Island took a 2-0 advantage in game two on Kennys Vargas’ run-scoring groundout and Lyle Miller-Green’s RBI double in the bottom half of the first inning off Long Island starter Clark Candiotti. The first inning run support was enough for FerryHawks starter Juan Fernandez (2-9) to earn the win, as the right-hander tossed five scoreless innings on two hits allowed, walking one and striking out four.
Candiotti (0-1) suffered the loss, giving up two runs on six hits with five strikeouts in three innings on the mound. Pedro Payano retired all four batters he faced in relief for his seventh save.
Long Island returns home on Friday, September 11, for their final homestand of the regular season as they begin a three-game weekend series against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. 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). The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive Ducks Reusable Bottles, courtesy of Sunrise Credit Services, Inc. It will also be a Tap Room Friday at the ballpark. As fans exit the ballpark following Friday games, Ducks staff members will be handing out coupons for a special offer from The Tap Room to enjoy at any of their Long Island locations.
Tickets to the game and all Ducks games are now available and can be purchased by visiting the ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE. Those unable to make the game can follow all the action on Dugout TV, powered by HomeTeam Network. Subscribe today by CLICKING HERE.
The Long Island Ducks are entering their 26th season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip, N.Y. They are the all-time leader in wins and attendance in Atlantic League history, have led all MLB Partner Leagues in total attendance for five consecutive seasons, and have sold out a record 729 games all-time. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940-DUCK (3825).
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
Celebrating its third decade, 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. Over its 27-year history, the ALPB has sent over 1,450 players to MLB organizations while drawing nearly 50 million fans to its 10 state-of-the-art ballparks that stretch from New York to North Carolina. Follow the action on DugoutTV.org.
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