(Hagerstown, Md., May 4, 2024) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars 6-5 in 10 innings on Saturday night in the first-ever meeting between the two teams at Meritus Park.
Osvaldo Abreu gave the Flying Boxcars a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning with a two-out RBI single to right field off Ducks starter Daniel Corcino. Long Island tied the game at one in the sixth when Kevin Higgins singled to center off Flying Boxcars starter Mike Kickham, scoring Jackie Bradley Jr. from second.
Hagerstown retook the lead in the sixth when Magneuris Sierra scores on an error and Aviatal Avelino comes home on a sac fly by Curtis Terry. The Ducks pulled to within 3-2 in the seventh on Ivan Castillo’s two-out RBI single to center. It stayed that way until the ninth when Rixon Wingrove launched a solo home run to right-center field, tying the game at three.
Long Island took a 5-3 lead in the 10th on a two-out, two-run home run to right off the bat of Chance Sisco. However, three unearned runs came home in the bottom of the 10th on an RBI infield single by Terry and a two-run single by Brandon Pugh, giving the Flying Boxcars a 6-5 win.
Neither starter factored into the decision. Kickham tossed six innings of one-run ball, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out five. Corcino also pitched six innings, surrendering three runs (one earned) on five hits with seven strikeouts. Brett Matthews (1-0) picked up the win despite allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit in the 10th. Emilio Marquez (0-1) took the hard luck loss, conceding three unearned runs on two hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning.
Wingrove led the Ducks offense with two hits, an RBI, two runs and a walk. Sisco added a hit, two RBIs, a run and a walk.
The Ducks and Flying Boxcars continue their three-game set on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Meritus Park. Fans can follow all the action live on FloBaseball by CLICKING HERE. Right-hander Charlie Neuweiler (0-1, 22.50) takes the mound for the Ducks against Flying Boxcars righty Parker Merkel (1-1, 0.82).
Long Island returns home on Friday, May 10, to open another three-game set against the Flying Boxcars. 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 a Tap Room Friday, and as fans exit the ballpark, Ducks staff members will be handing out coupons for 20% off your entire check (dine-in) and 50% off your first online or mobile app order from Tap Room. Tickets for the game, and all Ducks games, are available by visiting the Fairfield Properties Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE.
The Ducks are in their 24th 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, led all MLB Partner Leagues in attendance in 2023, and have sold out a record 706 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 25-year history, the ALPB has sent over 1,400 players to MLB organizations while drawing over 47 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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