(Photo courtesy of Jim McKenzie)
(Staten Island, N.Y., Aug. 8, 2026) – The Long Island Ducks split a single admission doubleheader with the Staten Island FerryHawks on Saturday evening at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park, dropping game one 3-2 while taking the nightcap 12-1.
The Ducks jumped out in front 1-0 in the top half of the first inning in game one on Aaron Takacs’ RBI infield single off FerryHawks starting pitcher Charlie Adamson. Staten Island tied the game at one in the third on a Lamar Briggs sacrifice fly to right field versus Long Island starter Rio Gomez and went ahead 2-1 in the third courtesy of Kennys Vargas’ sacrifice fly to right. The FerryHawks added an insurance run in the fifth for a 3-1 cushion on Blake Rutherford’s run-scoring base hit. The Flock cut the deficit to 3-2 in the sixth thanks to an Oscar Hernandez RBI single but would get no closer as Staten Island was able to hang on for the one-run triumph.
Adamson registered a no-decision, allowing one run on six hits in four and one-third innings pitched, walking two and striking out three. Brandon McCabe (4-5) picked up the win in relief after giving up an unearned run on one hit in inning of work, walking and striking out one. Gomez (1-1) suffered the loss, surrendering three runs on five hits in five innings pitched, walking one and striking out four. Pedro Payano recorded the final five outs of the ballgame for his sixth save of the season.
Long Island took a 1-0 advantage in game two on Takacs’ sacrifice to center in the top half of the second inning off Staten Island starter Christian Allegretti. The Ducks sent nine to the plate in the third and scored five runs for a 6-0 cushion, highlighted by a Takacs two-run double, a Jacob Robson RBI single, a Jorge Bonifacio run-scoring groundout and a Marcus Chiu RBI two-base hit. The visitors added a run in the fourth for a 7-0 cushion on Wilmer Difo’s RBI double and made it 9-0 in the sixth on Bonifacio’s RBI base knock and Takacs’ free pass with the bases loaded. The Flock put the icing on the cake in the seventh as Chiu belted a mammoth 415-foot three-run homer to right.
Ducks starter Nick Margevicius (2-1) went the distance for the complete game victory as the left-hander fired seven innings of one-run baseball on just four-hits allowed to go along with a season-high eight strikeouts. Allegretti (1-3) was tagged with the loss, surrendering seven runs on six hits in three and two-thirds innings on the mound, walking five and striking out a pair of batters.
The Ducks and FerryHawks wrap up their three-game set on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park. Fans can follow all the action live on Dugout TV, powered by HomeTeam Network. Subscribe today by CLICKING HERE. Right-hander Tanner Jacobson (3-5, 5.30) toes the rubber for the Ducks against a FerryHawks starter to be determined.
Long Island returns home on Tuesday, August 11, to begin a six-game series with the 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). It’s Jewish Heritage Night at the ballpark, presented by the Jewish Community Centers of Long Island, and following the game, all fans in attendance will be treated to a Fireworks Spectacular. It will also be a Pat’s Marketplace Tuesday and Triple Play Tuesday at the ballpark. 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.
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 727 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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