(Photo courtesy of Jim McKenzie)
(Lancaster, Pa., Sept. 12, 2023) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Lancaster Barnstormers 14-8 on Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series at Clipper Magazine Stadium.
The Ducks sent all nine men to the plate in the first inning and scored four runs off Barnstormers starter Brent Teller to take an early 4-0 lead. RBI singles by Carlos Castro and Brantley Bell plus a two-run double by Joe DeCarlo did the damage. Lancaster got on the scoreboard in the third via a sacrifice fly to center field by Andretty Cordero off Ducks starter Augie Voight. However, Lew Ford’s RBI single to right and Ruben Tejada’s RBI double to left in the fourth extended Long Island’s advantage to 6-1.
Lancaster answered with a nine-run fourth inning to take a 10-6 lead. Wilson Garcia’s three-run single and RBI singles from Melvin Mercedes, Cordero, Travyon Robinson and Jack Conley highlighted the frame. Another Cordero sac fly in the fifth made it 11-6. Castro’s long solo homer to center in the seventh and Ford’s RBI double down the left field line in the eighth trimmed the Ducks deficit to three. However, a three-run homer to left by Conley in the bottom of the eighth put the game out of reach.
Teller (11-6) picked up the win despite allowing six runs on 11 hits in six innings, walking one and striking out eight. Voight (0-1) suffered the loss, surrendering eight runs on five hits and five walks over three and two-thirds innings with one strikeout.
Castro led the Ducks offense with three hits, two RBIs and two runs. Tejada also added three hits, driving in a run and scoring one as well, while Ford and DeCarlo each chipped in with two hits, two RBIs and a run.
The Ducks and Barnstormers continue their three-game set on Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Clipper Magazine Stadium. Fans can follow the action live on Flo Baseball by CLICKING HERE. Right-hander Robert Stock (9-3, 3.61) takes the mound for the Ducks against Barnstormers righty Nile Ball (7-6, 6.03).
Long Island returns home on Friday, September 15, for their final series of the regular season, a three-game set against the High Point Rockers. 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 Prostate Cancer Awareness Night at the Ballpark, and the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive Ducks Seat Cushions, courtesy of Good Samaritan University Hospital. Tickets to the game, and all Ducks home 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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