(Central Islip, N.Y., June 8, 2023) – The Long Island Ducks split a single admission doubleheader with the Frederick Baseball Club on Thursday night at Fairfield Properties Ballpark, losing game one 5-4 before taking game two 4-2.

Frederick opened the scoring in the third inning of game one on Starlin Castro’s RBI single to right and Raudy Read’s RBI double down the left field line off Ducks starter Joe Iorio. Long Island closed to within one in the bottom of the inning on Boog Powell’s sac fly to center off Frederick starter Winston Lavendier.

It stayed that way until the sixth when the Ducks scored three two-out run to take a 4-2 lead. Alex Dickerson’s bases loaded walk and Adeiny Hechvarria’s two-run single to left did the damage. Frederick answered back with three unearned runs in the seventh on RBI singles by Jose Marmolejos and Jimmy Paredes plus the go-ahead run scoring on a lodged ball rule to take a 5-4 lead.

Neither starter factored into the decision. Iorio tossed six innings of two-run ball, allowing seven hits and a walk while striking out two. Lavendier lasted five and two-thirds innings, giving up four runs on three hits and three walks with three strikeouts. Arnaldo Hernandez (3-2) picked up the win with one and one-third scoreless innings of relief, striking out two. Kyle Lobstein (0-1) took the loss, conceding two runs on three hits and a walk in one-third of an inning.

Frederick struck first again in game two on Read’s RBI single and Paredes’ run-scoring fielder’s choice in the first inning off Ducks starter Stephen Woods Jr. The Ducks came back to tie it at two in the second on solo home runs to right field by Dickerson and right-center by Tzu-Wei Lin off Frederick starter Elih Villanueva.

Hechavarria’s sac fly to center in the fourth put the Flock on top 3-2. Brantley Bell wrapped up the scoring in the sixth with a mammoth solo homer to left.

Woods Jr. (5-1) earned the win, tossing five and two-thirds innings of two-run ball, allowing seven hits and two walks while striking out seven. Villanueva (1-4) took the loss, surrendering four runs on six hits and a walk over six innings with five strikeouts. Kevin Quackenbush picked up his seventh save of the season with a scoreless seventh inning.

The Ducks continue their homestand on Friday night when they open a three-game series against the York Revolution. 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). Following the game, all fans in attendance will be treated to a Fireworks Spectacular, presented by Forte Construction and TAP Electric. It’s also a Tap Room Friday at the ballpark, and Ducks staff members will be handing out coupons for 20% off your entire meal at any of The Tap Room’s five locations on Long Island as fans exit the ballpark. It’s a Grand Slam Friday as well. The sixth inning will be designated as the Grand Slam Inning, and if the Ducks fourth batter of the inning launches a home run with the bases loaded, one lucky fan will win $25,000! Left-hander Ian Clarkin (1-1, 4.81) gets the start for the Ducks against York righty Carlos Espinal (2-0, 2.70).

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. Those unable to make the game can follow all the action live on Flo Baseball by CLICKING HERE.

The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball. Over 8.5 million fans have enjoyed the Ducks brand of affordable, fun entertainment at Fairfield Properties Ballpark since inception in 2000. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940-DUCK (3825).

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season in 2023, 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. ALPB has sent over 1,200 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 45 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks throughout its 25-year history. Please visit AtlanticLeague.com. 

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