(Waldorf, Md., July 7, 2023) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 4-1 on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at Regency Furniture Stadium. With the win, the Ducks clinched the 2023 First Half North Division Championship and a berth in the Atlantic League playoffs.
The Ducks have earned their 16th Atlantic League playoff berth in franchise history, all coming in the past 19 seasons going back to 2004, and seventh postseason berth in the past eight seasons going back to 2015. It is also the eighth first half championship in team history and third in the past four seasons (2004, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2021).
The Ducks will begin their bid for a fifth Atlantic League championship following the conclusion of the 2023 regular season on September 17. Long Island has earned the right to select which games they will host during the North Division Championship Series, and that announcement will be made at a later date.
Tickets to all Long Island Ducks postseason games will go on sale at a later date. Stay tuned to LIDucks.com for further information regarding the playoff schedule and ticket on-sale date. Official First Half North Division Championship t-shirts will also be on sale at the Waddle In Shop in the coming days.
Friday’s game saw the Ducks strike first on Chance Sisco’s RBI double to right field in the fourth inning off Blue Crabs starter Tony Dibrell. The Blue Crabs answered back to tie the game at one in the bottom of the frame on Braxton Lee’s RBI single to center off Ducks starter Stephen Tarpley.
It stayed that way until the top of the ninth inning when Long Island plated three runs to take a 4-1 lead. A bases loaded walk by Joe DeCarlo, a sac fly to center by Brantley Bell and an RBI single to center by Tzu-Wei Lin put the Flock in front and gave them the first half title.
Tarpley did not factor into the decision but tossed six innings of one-run ball, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out eight. Al Alburquerque (3-0) earned the win, recording the game’s final six outs. Dibrell (0-1) suffered the loss, surrendering four runs on four hits and five walks over eight and two-thirds innings with five strikeouts.
The Ducks and Blue Crabs continue their three-game set on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. at Regency Furniture Stadium. Fans can follow all the action live on Flo Baseball by CLICKING HERE.
Long Island returns home on Tuesday, July 11, to begin another three-game set with Lancaster. 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 Triple Play Tuesday at the ballpark, and if the Ducks turn a triple play during the game, one lucky fan will win $25,000. Simply sign up prior to first pitch at the Ticket Kiosk on the main concourse to be eligible. 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 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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