Sanchez ties game with homer in eighth, and Freeman puts Flock ahead with ninth inning blast
(Lancaster, Pa., Aug. 9, 2019) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Lancaster Barnstormers 4-2 on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at Clipper Magazine Stadium.
Hector Sanchez opened the scoring in the first inning with a two-out RBI double to right field off Barnstormers starter Connor Overton. Caleb Gindl leapfrogged the Barnstormers in front with a two-run homer to right in the third off Ducks starter Brian Matusz.
It stayed that way until the top of the eighth when Sanchez uncorked a mammoth solo home run to right, tying the ballgame at two. A solo homer to right by Clint Freeman in the ninth put the Flock ahead 3-2. D’Arby Myers then reached on an error, stole two bases and scored on another error to make it a two-run ballgame.
Neither starter factored into the decision. Matusz pitched six innings of two-run ball, allowing three hits and no walks while striking out five. Overton tossed six innings of one-run ball, yielding four hits and a walk with three strikeouts. Zack Weiss (3-1) earned the win with two perfect innings of relief, striking out two. Cody Eppley (1-5) took the loss, giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits in the ninth. Pedro Beato pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to record his first save of the season.
Sanchez led the Flock offensively with two hits, two RBIs and a run. The Ducks pitching staff retired the final 19 Barnstormers batters that came up to the plate following Gindl’s homer.
The Ducks and Barnstormers continue their three-game set on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. from Clipper Magazine Stadium. Fans can follow all the action on the Long Island Ducks Broadcast Network. Live streaming video and audio will be available via BoxCast on LIDucks.com, Facebook Live and the Ducks official YouTube channel. Right-hander Joe Iorio (5-1, 2.73) takes the mound for the Ducks against Barnstormers southpaw Nate Reed (1-2, 9.00).
Long Island returns home on Tuesday, August 13, to open a three-game series with the York Revolution. 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’s Irish Heritage Night at the ballpark, presented by Shandon Court! The Ducks will be wearing special Irish-themed jerseys, which will be auctioned off during the game. Fans can place bids on the game-worn jerseys by visiting the auction tables located outside the Waddle In Shop. Tickets to the game, and all Ducks home games, can be purchased by visiting the box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE.
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)
With eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history.
For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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