Late offense lifts Flock to win over first-place Patriots
 

(Photo courtesy of Gelzunas Photography)

(Bridgewater, N.J., May 27, 2015) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Somerset Patriots 7-6 on Wednesday night in the first game of a four-game series at TD Bank Ballpark.

GAME AUDIO: Highlights from the series-opening win

Long Island got on the scoreboard quickly when Lew Ford’s RBI groundout in the first inning scored Bryan Sabatella. The Flock extended the lead to 3-0 in the fourth thanks to a RBI double from Jon Griffin and a RBI sacrifice fly from Jose Morales off of Patriots starter Randy Boone.

Somerset stormed back in the bottom of the frame for six runs to take the lead. A two-run homer from Scott Cousins off of Ducks starter John Brownell highlighted the scoring. A RBI single from David Vidal, a bases-loaded walk drawn by Adam Donachie, and a two-run single from Jonny Tucker accounted for the other four runs.

The Ducks cut into the three-run deficit in the fifth. A RBI single from Sabatella along with a RBI sacrifice fly from Cody Puckett closed the gap to 6-5. It stayed that way until the eighth when Long Island broke through to take the lead. Reegie Corona’s run-scoring fielder’s choice tied the game at six, and Ford’s RBI single put the Ducks in front for good.

Neither starter factored into the decision. Brownell pitched six innings for the Ducks, allowing six runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out six. Boone gave up five runs on eight hits and struck out one in five innings. Patrick Crider (1-1) collected the win with a scoreless inning of relief in the seventh. Kyler Newby (4-1) suffered the loss, allowing two runs in the eighth on four hits with one strikeout. Ryan Kussmaul worked a scoreless ninth for his eighth save of the season.

Puckett and Morales led the way offensively for Long Island with three hits and one RBI apiece.

The Ducks continue their four-game set with Patriots on Thursday night. Game time is slated for 7:05 p.m. from TD Bank Ballpark. Righty Mickey Jannis will start for Long Island against Somerset southpaw Sean Bierman. Fans can follow all of the action live online, with streaming audio available on the Ducks’ official YouTube Channel by CLICKING HERE.

The Ducks will return home on Sunday, May 31 to begin a three-game series against the York Revolution. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 12:35 (12:20 for full season ticket holders). The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Ray Navarrete #16 Jersey Pin as the sixth and final piece of the 2015 Collector’s Series. It will also be a Sunday Family Funday at the ballpark! Prior to the game, fans will be invited onto the field for an autograph session with the Ducks from 12:50 to 1:05. Following the game, kids and kids at heart can take part in Kids Run the Bases, presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Tickets the game and all Ducks home games are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE.
 

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 Game Date: 05/27/2015 Long Island Ducks 7 AT Somerset Patriots 6 YTD YTD L Island AB R H BI AVG Somerset AB R H BI AVG B.Sabatella RF 5 2 2 1 .269 J.Tucker CF 4 1 2 2 .220 R.Corona 2B 4 0 0 1 .301 S.Cousins LF 5 1 1 2 .306 L.Ford CF 5 0 2 2 .355 T.Neal 1B 4 0 0 0 .288 C.Puckett 3B 4 1 3 1 .303 C.Marrero RF 4 1 2 0 .325 J.Griffin 1B 5 1 1 1 .259 M.Gamel DH 4 0 0 0 .167 P.Redman DH 5 0 0 0 .235 D.Vidal 3B 4 1 2 1 .280 J.Morales C 3 0 3 1 .244 R.Andino SS 4 1 1 0 .183 E.Komatsu PR 0 1 0 0 .179 N.Spears 2B 3 1 0 0 .231 M.Blanke C 1 0 0 0 .250 A.Donachie C 3 0 0 1 .246 D.Cleary Jr. LF 4 1 1 0 .333 D.Lyons SS 4 1 3 0 .309 40 7 15 7 35 6 8 6 L Island 1 0 0 2 2 0 0 2 0 - 7 15 0 Somerset 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 - 6 8 1 2B--B.Sabatella (10), C.Puckett (6), J.Griffin (5), J.Morales (3), D.Lyons (4), C.Marrero (11). HR--S.Cousins (1). RBI--B.Sabatella (14), R.Corona (12), L.Ford 2 (33), C.Puckett (17), J.Griffin (19), J.Morales (5), J.Tucker 2 (16), S.Cousins 2 (9), D.Vidal (7), A.Donachie (10). HP--J.Tucker (1). SF--C.Puckett (1), J.Morales (1). SH--R.Corona (0). SB--J.Morales (4). E--D.Vidal (5). LOB--L Island 9, Somerset 5. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA L Island J.Brownell 6.0 7 6 6 2 6 1 3.21 P.Crider (W,1-1) 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.60 A.Diaz 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1.69 R.Kussmaul (S,8) 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.30 9 8 6 6 2 9 1 Somerset R.Boone 5.0 8 5 5 0 1 0 2.73 R.Seidel 1.0 2 0 0 0 1 0 1.06 P.Smyth 1.0 1 0 0 0 2 0 2.25 K.Newby (L,4-1) 1.0 4 2 2 0 1 0 3.55 J.Hunton 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.53 9 15 7 7 0 6 0 WP--J.Brownell 2 (3), R.Boone (2). HB--R.Kussmaul (1). SO--B.Sabatella 2, L.Ford, J.Griffin, P.Redman 2, S.Cousins, T.Neal, M.Gamel 2, R.Andino, N.Spears 2, A.Donachie 2. BB--N.Spears, A.Donachie. BF--J.Brownell 28 (188), P.Crider 3 (62), A.Diaz 3 (62), R.Kussmaul 4 (66), R.Boone 24 (144), R.Seidel 5 (74), P.Smyth 4 (35), K.Newby 7 (52), J.Hunton 3 (41). P-S--J.Brownell 104-67, P.Crider 11-8, A.Diaz 12-9, R.Kussmaul 19-12, R.Boone 91-59, R.Seidel 9-9, P.Smyth 20-13, K.Newby 20-14, J.Hunton 13-8. T--2:57. A--3594 53 minute rain delay; LI, B4, PC to mound; LI, B7, PC to mound Plate Umpire - John Ramsey, Field Umpire #1 - Warren Nicholson, Field Umpire #3 - Freddie DeJesus